XX 

**     \ 


^f  .       ^^^^^^^ 

r  i — — i  \ 


,/ 


LIFE  AND  PUBLIC  SERVICES 


OF 


AMBROSE  E.  BURNSIDE 


SOLDIER  —  CITIZEN  —  STATESMAN. 


SEN:    PERLEY   POORE, 

u 

WITH  AX  INTRODUCTION  BY 

HENRY  B.  ANTHONY. 


ILLUSTRATED    WITH  MAPS  AND  ENGRAVINGS. 


PROVIDENCE,  R.  I.  : 

J.  A.  &  R.  A.  REID,  PUBLISHERS. 

1882. 


COPYRIGHT. 
J.  A.  &  R.  A.  REID,  PROVIDENCE. 

1882. 


67 


In  compliance  with  current  copyright  law, 

U.  C.  Library  Bindery  produced  this  replacement  volume  on 

paper  that  meets  the  ANSI  Standard  239.48-1984  to  replace 

the  irreparably  deteriorated  original. 


1993 


INTRODUCTION 


THE  fame  of  her  sons,  who  have  illustrated  her  history, 
is  the  priceless  heritage  of  a  free  country.  They  who  have 
contributed  to  her  honor,  and  to  build  up  her  greatness  and 
her  glory,  are  justly  held  in  fond  and  imperishable  remem 
brance.  Their  deeds  form  a  part  of  their  country,  and 
live  coeval  .with  her  existence.  There  is  no  more  grateful 
task,  there  is  no  more  pleasing  duty,  than  to  make  the 
record  of  them,  and  to  hold  them  up  to  the  admiration  and 
the  emulation  of  those  who  survive  them,  and  those  who 
shall  come  after  them. 

AMBROSE  E.  BURNSIDE  forms  one  of  the  conspicuous 
figures  in  the  history  of  the  war  for  the  maintenance  ot 
the  Union.  His  private  virtues  won  the  affection  of  his 
friends  ;  his  public  services  and  achievements  made  him 
the  pride  and  admiration  of  the  State.  No  other  man 
among  us  held  so  large  a  share  of  the  popular  esteem. 


4  INTRODUCTION. 

Certain  persons,  of  late,  have  affected  to  depreciate  the 
military  character  of  GENERAL  BURNSIDE,'  the  evidence 
against  it  being  largely  his  gentler  qualities,  that  seem 
inconsistent  with  the  rough  manner  of  the  camp  and  the 
field.  But 

':  The  bravest  are  the  tenderest, 
The  loving  are  the  daring." 

So  it  has  long  been  the  custom  of  similar  critics,  though 
not  on  the  same  grounds,  to  disparage  the  military  merits 
of  a  far  more  illustrious  personage  in  American  history,  no 
less  a  man  than  Washington,  whom  they  represent  as  a 
frontier  colonel,  with  little  knowledge  of  the  art  of  war, 
except  what  he  had  picked  up  in  encounters  with  the  In 
dians.  Such  \vas  the  opinion,  contemptuously  expressed, 
by  Aaron  Burr.  Not  so  thought  the  great  Frederick,  who 
sent  to  Washington  his  portrait  inscribed:  "From  the 
oldest  general  in  Europe  to  the  greatest  general  on  earth." 

GENERAL  BURNSIDE  brought  to  the  service  of  his 
country  a  natural  aptitude  for  military  operations,  in 
formed  and  instructed  by  a  thorough  military  education. 
The  Burnside  Expedition  to  North  Carolina  was  planned 
and  executed  on  the  strict  rules  of  military  science,  and 
received  the  hearty  approbation  of  the  best  military  author 
ities.  The  defense  of  Knoxville,  against  the  superior 
forces  of  Longstreet.  was  an  admirable  exhibition  of  mili 
tary  skill  and  science.  In  fertility  of  resources,  in  sagacity, 
in  the  comprehensiveness  and  thoroughness  of  his  plans, 
and  in  the  vigor  of  their  execution,  his  merits  were  remark 
able  ;  and  not  the  less  in  his  attention  to  the  details  of  his 


INTRODUCTION.  - 

operations,  and  in  care  for  the  health  and  comfort  of  his 
men  ;  and,  although  not  sparing  them  in  case  of  necessity, 
in  his  conservative  regard  for  their  safety. 

He  made  war,  not  only  on  scientific  principles,  but 
with  a  constant  reference  to  the  purpose  of  the  war,  an 
honorable  peace  ;  and  at  all  times,  in  all  circumstances,  he 
was  actuated  by  a  high  patriotic  impulse.  Singularly  mag 
nanimous  and  unselfish,  his  whole  thought  was  for  his 
country,  never  for  himself.  After  he  had  withdrawn  from 
the  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  the  Presi 
dent  refused  to  receive  the  resignation  of  his  commission, 
he  cheerfully  accepted  service  under  a  man  whom  he  had 
commanded,  and  in  repeated  instances  served  under  his 
juniors  in  rank.  This  self-abnegation,  this  supreme  re 
gard  for  the  cause,  of  which  few  men  are  capable,  added 
largely  to  his  efficiency.  In  addition  to  these  qualities  of 
a  general,  he  possessed  that  magnetic  power  which  at 
tracted  to  him  the  love  and  confidence  of  the  men  under 
his  command,  which  made  them  yield  a  willing  obedience 
to  his  orders,  and  inspired  them  with  an  eager  desire  to 
deserve  his  approbation.  He  fulfilled  in  an  uncommon 
degree  the  requisites  of  a  good  general,  as  enumerated  by 
Edmund  Burke  : 

"The  fortitude  required  of  him  is  very  different  from  the  unthinking 
alacritv  of  the  common  soldier,  or  common  sailor,  in  the  face  of  danger 
and  death.  It  is  not  a  passion,  it  is  not  an  impulse,  it  is  not  a  sentiment ; 
it  is  a  cool,  steady,  deliberate  principle,  always  present,  always  equable; 
having  no  connexion  with  anger;  tempering  honor  with  prudence;  inci 
ted,  invigorated,  and  sustained  bv  a  generous  love  of  fame  ;  informed, 


6  IN  TR  ODUC  TION. 

moderated,  and  directed  by  an  enlarged  knowledge  of  its  own  great  pub 
lic  ends;  flowing  in  one  blended  stream  from  the  opposite  sources  of  the 
heart  and  the  head  ;  carrying  in  itself  its  own  commission,  and  proving  its 
title  to  every  other  command  by  the  first  and  most  difficult  command  — 
that  of  the  bosom  in  which  it  resides.  It  is  a  fortitude  which  unites  with 
the  courage  of  the  field  the  more  exalted  an/1  refined  courage  of  the  coun 
cil  ;  which  knows  as  well  to  retreat  as  to  advance;  which  can  conquer  as 
well  by  delay  as  by  the  rapidity  of  a  march,  or  the  impetuosity  of 'an  attack  : 
which  can  be,  with  Fabius.  the  black  cloud  that  lowers  on  the  tops  of  the 
mountains,  or,  with  Scipio.  the  thunderbolt  of  war;  which,  undismayed 
by  false  shame,  can  patiently  endure  the  severest  trial  that  a  gallant  spirit 
can  undergo,  in  the  taunts  and  provocations  of  the  enemy,1  the  suspicions, 
the  cold  respect,  and  'mouth  honor'  of  those  from  whom  it  should  meet 
a  cheerful  obedience;  which,  undisturbed  by  false  humanity,  can  calmly 
assume  that  most  awful  moral  responsibility  of  deciding  when  victory 
may  be  too  dearly  purchased  by  the  loss  of  a  single  life,  and  when  the 
safety  and  glory  of  their  country  may  demand  the  certain  sacrifice  of 
thousands." 

The  latter  portion  of  this  admirable  paragraph  might 
have  been  written  on  the  contemplation  of  BURNSIDE'S 
military  character.  Impartial  history  will  accord  to  him 
a  name  among  the  heroic  characters  of  the  country,  and 
worthy  to  stand  with  those  other  great  commanders,  Greene 
and  Perrv. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I.      - 

General  Burnside's  Characteristics  —  Ancestry  —  The  Whigs  and  the 
Tories  of  South  Carolina  —  Banishment  and  Confiscation — Jamaica 
Indigo  Plantations  granted  to  the  Exiles  —  Amnesty  and  Return  — 
Slavery  in  South  Carolina  —  Emigrations  to  Free  Territory  —  Earlv 
Courts  of  Indiana,  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  Pages  17-25 

CHAPTER  II. 

Birth  and  Name  —  Quaker  Education  —  Detective  Skill  —  Youthful  Traits 

—  Religious  Views  —  Love  of  the  Militarv  —  Application  for  a  Cadet- 
ship —  Political  Influence — Appointment  as  a  Cadet  —  Letter  of  Ac 
ceptance —  Departure  for  West  Point,    ....        Pages  26-34 

CHAPTER  III. 

The  Military  Academy  —  Formation  of  Lite  Friendships — Drill  and 
Discipline  —  Shaving  a  Bison  —  Cadet  Rank —  "  Benny  Havens,  O  !  " 

—  Proficiency  in  Studies  —  Final  Examinations  —  Changing  the  Gray 
for  the  Blue, Pages  35-45 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Ordered  to  Mexico  —  Crossing  the  Alleghanies  —  River  Pirates  and 
Gamblers  —  Arrival  at  Vera  Cruz  —  March  to  the  Halls  of  the  Mon- 
tezumas  — Return  to  the  United  States,  .  .  .  Pages  46-57 


8  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  V. 

At  Fort  Adams,  Newport — Garrison  Life  —  Ordered  to  the  Frontier  — 
Placed  in  Command  of  a  Detachment  of  Mounted  Men  —  His  First 
Report  —  Victorious  Engagement  with  the  Indians  —  Wounded  — 
Joins  His  Regiment  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  .  .  .  Pages  58-66 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Ordered  to  Join  the  Boundary  Commission  —  Life  on  the  Frontier  — 
Differences  between  the  Civil  and  Military  Heads  of  the  Party  —  Rival 
Expresses  sent  with  Dispatches  to  Washington  —  Invention  of  a 
Breech-loading  Musket — Promotion — Visit  to  Indiana — A  Love 
Episode, Pages  67-74 

CHAPTER  VII. 

At  Fort  Adams  again  —  Garrison  Duty  —  Marriage  to  Miss  Mary  R. 
Bishop — Life  in  a  Casemate  —  Resigns  his  Commission — Major 
General  of  Militia — Visitor  to  West  Point — Candidate  for  Con 
gress,  Pages  75-82 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Competitive  Test  of  Breech-Loading  Weapons — The  Inventor's  State 
ment —  Reports  of  two  Boards  —  Dishonorable  Proposition  to  Secure 
the  Contract  Rejected  —  Pecuniary  Reverses  —  Railroad  Service  at 
Chicago  and  at  New  York  —  The  Threatening  War-storm  —  Rhode 
Island  Prepares  for  the  Fray,  .....  Pages  83-91 

CHAPTER  IX. 

The  Bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter  —  Uprising  of  the  Loyal  North  — 
General  Burnside  Promptly  Responds  to  the  Call  —  Organization  of 
the  First  Rhode  Island  Regiment  — Presentation  of  a  Flag — Journey 
to  Washington — Barrack  and  Camp-life,  .  .  .  Pages  92-102 

CHAPTER  X. 

Concentration  of  Confederate  Forces  at  Manassas — "  On  to  Richmond  !  " 

—  Camp  Services  —  General   Patterson   Checkmated  —  War  Balloons 

—  Organization  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Union  —  Burnside's  Brig 
ade —  Advance   into    Virginia  —  Capture  of  Fairfax  Court    House  — 
Political  Advisers,          .......       Pages  103-111 


CONTENTS.  9 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Commands  a  Brigade — The  Battle  of  Bull  Run  —  Gallantry  of  the 
Rhode  Island  Troops —  Stonewall  Jackson  Named — An  Artillery 
Duel  —  Confederate  Reinforcements  —  Panic,  Retreat,  and  Rout, 

Pages  i 12-120 

CHAPTER  XII. 

The  Lesson  of  Bull  Run  —  Return  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  Regiment 

—  Appointment   as    Brigadier-General  —  Organization    of  the  Coast 
Division  —  Departure  of  the  Armada — Terrific  Gale  off  Hatteras  — 
Landing  on  Roanoke  Island, Pages  121-131 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

The  Battle  of  Roanoke  Island  —  Fruits  of  the  Victory  —  Return  of  Robert 

—  Advance  on    Newbern  —  Glorious  Victory  —  Congratulations    and 
Thanks  —  Government   of  North   Carolina  —  Rebuke    of  an    Alarm 
ist, Pages  I32-M3 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Investment  and  Reduction  of  Fort  Macon  —  Effective  Cannonading  — 
Occupation  of  the  Fort — Jeff"  Davis  Humiliated —Wilmington  — 
Arrival  ofGovernor  Stanley — Claimed  Contrabands — Meeting  with 
Mrs.  Burnside  at  Fortress  Monroe  —  Interview  with  President  Lin 
coln  _  Sword  Presentation,  ...  .  Pages  144-152 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Ordered  to  Reinforce  General  McClellan — Offered  the  Command  of  the 
Armv  of  the  Potomac — Visits  New  York  —  Organization  of  the 
Ninth  Army  Corps  —  General  Pope's  Disasters  — Evacuation  of Fred- 
ericksburg  by  Burnside  —  A  Night-march  —  Retreat  of  the  Union 
Forces  on  Washington  —  Insubordination,  .  Pages  153-161 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

The  Command  Offered  a  Second  Time  to  Burnside — Restoration  of 
General  McClellan — Advance  of  the  Confederates  into  Maryland  — 
Prompt  Movement  by  Burnside  —  Battle  of  South  Mountain  —  Des 
perate  Fighting  —  Triumphant  Victory  —  Death  of  General  Reno- 
Preparations  for  a  Decisive  Battle,  .  .  •  Pages  162-170 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

The    Battle    of  Antietam  —  Gallantry    of  the    Ninth    Corps  — Desire   of 

Burnside    to    Follow    the    Flying    Foe —Inactivity    of    McClellan  — 

''Burnside    Placed    in    Command  —  Order    on    Taking    Command  — A 

Difficult  Task, Pages  171-181 


I0  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Burnside  Assumes  Command  of  the  Armv  with  Prayerful  Reluctance  — 
New  Plan  of  Operations  —  A  Rapid  Movement  — Failure  to  Supply 
Pontoons — The  Battle  of  Fredericksburg  —  Desperate  Fighting  — 
Vigorous  Defense  by  the  Confederates —  Failure,  .  Pages  182-191 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Opposition  by  the  Generals  to  a  Renewal  of  the  Attack  —  Official  Account 
of  its  Disasters  and  Assumption  of  the  Responsibility  —  Military 
Criticisms — Lincoln's  Address  to  the  Troops  —  Another  Movement 

—  Insubordinate    Generals  —  Letter   from  Lincoln  —  The  Mud   Cam 
paign —  General  Orders  No.  8  —  Resigns,  .          .       Pages  192-201 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Resignation  of  His  Commission  not  Accepted  by  President  Lincoln  — 
Return  to  Rhode  Island  —  Placed  in  Command  of  the  Department  of 
the  Ohio  —  Suppression  of  Treason — Kentucky  Quieted  —  Visits  to 
Liberty  and  Hamilton  —  Arrest  and  Trial  of  Vallandigham  —  Sup 
pression  of  Newspapers  —  Morgan's  Raid  —  The  Kentucky  Cam 
paign.  ..........  Pages  202-212 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

March  Across  Kentucky — Preservation  of  Order  —  Crossing  the  Cum 
berland  Mountains  —  The  Union  Troops  Received  with  Enthusiasm 

—  Occupation  of  Knoxville  —  Resignation  Again  Tendered  and  Again 
Refused  —  Arrival    of    General    Longstreet  —  Five    Battles    in    Four 
Days  —  Siege  of  Knoxville  —  Return  to  Rhode  Island,     Pages  213-223 

CHAPTER   XXII. 

Ordered  to  Recruit  the  Ninth  Corps — A  Story  by  President  Lincoln  — 
Boston's  Song- Welcome — Speech  at  Chicago  on  the  Situation  — 
Reorganization  of  the  Ninth  Corps  —  Its  Review  by  the  President  — 
Battles  of  the  Wilderness  and  Cold  Harbor — Change  of  Base, 

•        Pages  224-235 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 

The  Siege  of  Petersburg  —  The  Mine  Beneath  the  Enemv's  Works  — 
Plan  of  Attack  —  The  Colored  Troops  Counted  Out — The  Assault  — 
Delav  in  the  Explosion — A  Terrible  Scene  —  General  Meade  Petu 
lant —  Retreat  of  the  Ninth  Corps  after  Hard  Fighting  —  Relieved 
from  Duty,  .......  .  Pages  236-248 


CONTEXTS.  II 

CHAPTER   XXIV. 

Popular  Disappointment  over  the  Result  at  Petersburg  —  A  Court- 
Martial  Asked  for  by  General  Meade  —  A  Court  of  Inquiry  Ordered  — 
Testimony  —  Findings  of  the  Court — Review  of  Them  —  Return  to 
Providence  —  Visits  the  White  Mountains — Speech  at  the  Centen 
nial  of  Brown  University,  ......  Pages  249-257 

CHAPTER   XXV. 

The  Political  Campaign  of  1864— Speech  at  Providence— Congressional 
Investigation  of  the  Attack  on  Petersburg  —  Testimony  of  Lieutenant- 
General  Grant — Report  of  the  Committee  —  Close  of  the  War  — 
Resignation  —  Military  Character  —  Return  to  Civil  Life  —  President 
of  the  Cincinnati  and  Martinsville  Railroad.  .  .  Pages  258-265 

CHAPTER   XXVI. 

Nominated  and  Elected  Governor  of  Rhode  Island  —  Railroad  Opera 
tions  at  the  West— Soldiers  Monument  at  Providence —Presenta 
tion  —  Reelection —  A  West  Point  Comrade  Aided  —  The  Kingsbury 
Will  —  Vincennes  and  Cairo  Railroad,  .  .  Pages  266-274 

CHAPTER   XXVII. 

Home  at  Providence  —  Love  of  the  Soldiers  for  '••  Old  Burney"  —  Cour- 
tesv  Towards  Inferiors  —  An  Act  of  Kindness  —  Attack  Made  on  Him 
by  Senator  Sprague  —  Defense  of  Him  by  Senators  Anthony.  Nye, 
Chandler,  Abbott,  and  Morton —Testimonial  from  Citizens  of  Rhode 
Island  —  Ninth  Army  Corps  Association,  .  .  Pages  275-284 

CHAPTER   XXVIII. 

Unsuccessful  Visit  to  London  —  Goes  to  Paris  to  Witness  the  Siege  of 
that  Citv  — Is  Made  Prisoner  at  a  Saxon  Out-post  —  Dr.  Russell's 
Account' of  Versailles  and  the  German  Leaders  —  Fondness  of  Bis 
marck  for  Burnside  — Visits  Paris  Under  a  Flag  of  Truce  — The 
Besieged  City  —  Second  Visit  — Return  to  London,  .  Pages  285-294 

CHAPTER    XXIX. 

The  Army  Reunions  for  1873  —  Burnside  Brought  Forward  as  a  Candi 
date  for  the  United  States  Senate  — Unsuccessful  Balloting  — Visit  to 
Knoxville  — Addresses  in  Tennessee  —  Elected  United  States  Sen 
ator,  Pages  295-303 


12  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER   XXX. 

"  Edghill  Farm"  —  The  House  and  Furniture — Farm  Stock  —  Rural 
Pursuits  —  Kindness  to  Animals — Visits  from  Veterans — Hospitali 
ties —  Personal  Popularity  —  Traits  of  Character,  .  Pages  304-312 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

Takes  His  Seat  in  the  Senate  —  The  Old  and  New  Senators  —  Decoration 
Day  at  Antietam  National  Cemetery — Patriotic  Address  on  Deco 
ration  Day — Speech  at  the  Commencement  Dinner  of  Brown  Uni 
versity  —  Banquet  of  the  Loyal  Legion  at  Boston  —  General  Grant  at 
"  Edghill  Farm," Pages  313-321 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

In  the  United  States  Senate  —  Death  of  Mrs.  Burnside — Senatorial 
Duties  —  Modesty  —  Exposure  of  an  Amicable  Arrangement — Chair 
man  of  the  Committee  on  Education  and  Labor — Hayes  as  Presi 
dent —  Tribute  from  Senator  Jones  —  Hospitality  at  Washington, 
•  •  Pages  322-331 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

Death  of  Senator  Morton — Enlistment  of  Colored  Recruits  —  Com 
mission  for  the  Reorganization  of  the  Army  —  Military  Bands  — 
Eight-hour  Law — Impartial  Reports,  .  .  .  Pages  332-339 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Work  of  the  Special  Military  Commission  —  Arms  to  be  Manufactured 
in  Private  Establishments- — Appointment  of  Staff-Officers — Social 
Science  in  Schools  —  Estimate  of  General  Burnside's  Character,  by 
Senator  Edmunds,  .......  Pages  340-347 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

The  Democrats  Gain  Possession  of  the  Senate- — Change  of  Officers  — 
Rhode  Island  Public  Works — Speech  on  the  Monroe  Doctrine  — 
Fair  Play  at  West  Point — Soldiers  and  Senators — -Reelection  to 
the  United  States  Senate,  ......  Pages  348-361 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

The  Fitz  John  Porter  Case  —  Endowment  of  an  Educational  Fund  by 
the  Sales  of  Public  Lands  —  Pension  Laws  and  Pensioners  —  Monu 
ments  on  Revolutionary  Battle-fields  —  Moral  and  Social  Science  in 
Schools  —  Watchful  Attention  to  Senatorial  Business,  Pages  3^2-370 


CONTEXTS.  j-} 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

The  Executive  Session — Turn  of  the  Political  Wheel  of  Fortune — Com 
mittee  Service — Acrimonious  Debate  in  the  Senate  —  Restoration  of 
Harmony  —  Suffrage  in  Rhode  Island  —  Report  on  the  Monroe  Doc 
trine,  Pages  371-384 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

Return  to  Rhode  Island — Assassination  of  President  Garfield  —  Acci 
dent —  Last  Hours  —  Death — Rhode  Island's  Mourning  —  Demon 
strations  of  Respect — Farewell  to  •'  Edghill"— Services  at  Bristol  — 
The  Remains  Lying  in  State  at  Providence.  .  .  Pages  385-396 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Funeral  at  Providence  —  The  Military  Display  —  The  Veterans — The 
Procession — Services  in  the  Church — Eulogy  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Woodbury  —  The  Last  March  —  The- Interment,  .  Pages  397-410 

CHAPTER    XL. 

Announcement  of  General  Burnside's  Death  in  the  United  States  Senate 
—  Formal  Presentation  of  Resolutions —  Eulogy  by  Senator  Anthony, 
of  Rhode  Island,  .  .  .  4ir-423 

CHAPTER  XLI. 

Continuation  of  the  Eulogies  in  the  Senate  —  Addresses  by  Senator 
Harrison,  of  Indiana  ;  Senator  Wade  Hampton,  of  South  Carolina; 
and  Senator  Aldrich,  of  Rhode  Island,  .  .  .  Pages  424-432 

CHAPTER  XLII. 

Eulogies  Delivered  on  General  Burnside  in  the  House  of  Representatives, 
by  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Chace,  and  the  Hon.  Henry  J.  Spooner,  of 
Rhode  Island, •  Pages  433-439 

CHAPTER  XLIII. 

Concluding  Estimate  of  General  Burnside's  Military  Career,  Legislative 
Ability,  Public  Speeches,  and  Private  Life,  .  .  Pages  440-444 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE. 

FULL-LENGTH  STEEL  PORTRAIT  OF  GHNEKAL  BURNSIDE,        Frontispiece 

HEAD-PIECE  —  BIRTHPLACE  OF  GENERAL  BURNSIDK,      ...  17 

PORTRAIT  OF  BURNSIDE'S  FATHER  (full  page),  opposite  page         .  24 

HEAD-PIECE  —  PLACE  OF  FIRST  BUSINESS  VENTURE,     ...  26 

THE  PUBLIC  SQUARE  IN  LIBERTY,  IND.  (full  page),        •         •         •  33 

TAIL-PIECE  —  AN  ACORN,            ........  34 

HEAD-PIECE — BIRD  AND  BOOK,           .......  ^ 

HEAD-PIECE  —  WOMAN'S  HEAD,          .......  46 

AMERICAN  ARMY  ENTERING  THE  CITY  OF  MEXICO  (full  page),    .  49 

PORTRAIT  OF  GEN.  WINFIELD  SCOTT, 55 

HEAD-PIECE  —  WATER  SCENE,             .......  ^8 

FORT  ADAMS,  NEWPORT,  R.  I., 61 

TAIL-PIECE  —  BROKEN  CANNON.         .......  66 

HEAD-PIECE  —  PANSIES, 67 

HEAD-PIECE — SEA  SHELLS,        .........  7^ 

PORTRAIT  OF  MRS.   GENERAL  BURNSIDE  (full  page),  opposite  page  So 

TAIL-PIECE  —  DELIVERY  OF  A  SWORD,      ......  82 

HEAD-PIECE  —  TRAILING  ARBUTUS,            ......  83 

HEAD-PIECE — HAULING  CANNON,     .......  92 

FIRING  ON  FORT  SUMTER,          ........  95 

ANNAPOLIS  JUNCTION,         .........  99 

HARPER'S  FERRY,        ..........  101 

TAIL-PIECE — BROKEN  ARMS,    ........  102 

HEAD-PIECE — FLOWERS,    .........  103 


ILL  L'S TRA  TIO. VS.  l  ~ 

PAGE. 

PORTRAIT  OF  GEN.  IRVIN  MCDOWELL.    ......  107 

TAIL-PIECE  —  CASTLE  PINCKNEY, m 

HEAD-PIECE  —  BIRD  FEEDING  HER  YOUNG,      .         .         .         .         .112 

HEAD-PIECE  —  WATER  SCENE,  .         .         .         .         .         .         .121 

PORTRAIT  OF  COM.   L.  M.  GOLDSBOROUGH,     .....  122 

IN  THE  GALE  OFF  HATTERAS  (full  page),         .....  125 

ATTACK    ON   THE    CONFEDERATE   FORTS    BY    THE    UNION    FLEET 

AT  ROANOKE  ISLAND  (full  page),        .         .         .         .         .         .129 

TAIL-PIECE  —  FLAT-BOATS  USED  IN  TRANSPORTING  TROOPS,         .  131 

HEAD-PIECE  —  BURNSIDE'S   HEADQUARTERS  AT  ROANOKE  ISLAND.  132 
ATTACK    ON   THE   CONFEDERATE   BATTERY  AT  ROANOKE  ISLAND 

(full  page),    ....  135 

PORTRAIT  OF  COM.  S.  C.  ROWAN, 139 

TAIL-PIECE  —  AN  ARMY  FORGE,        .......  143 

HEAD-PIECE — GENERAL  BURNSIDE'S  HEADQUARTERS  AT  NEWBERN.  144 

FORT  MACON,  N.  C.,            .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .  147 

PORTRAIT  OF  GEN.  JOHN  G.   FOSTER,       ......  151 

HEAD-PIECE  —  BUTTERFLIES  AND  FLOWERS,     .....  153 

PORTRAIT  OF  GEN.  GEO.  B.  MCCLELLAN, 155 

PORTRAIT  OF  GEN.  JOHN  POPE,         .......  159 

TAIL-PIECE  —  A  CANNON  IN  THE  MOUNTAINS,         .         .         .         .  161 

HEAD-PIECE  —  A  WOOD  SCENE,          ...         •         •         .         .         .  162 
PORTRAIT  OF  GEN.  JESSE  L.  RENO,          .         .         .         .         .         .163 

PORTRAIT  OF  GEN.  J.  D.   Cox, 167 

TAIL-PIECE  —  BULLET-PROOF  IN  THE  WOODS,          .         .         .         .170 

HEAD-PIECE  —  THE  STONE  BRIDGE  AT  ANTIETAM,          .         .         .  171 

THE  CHARGE  AT  ANTIETAM  (full  page),            .         .         .         .         .  173 

HEAD-PIECE — FREDERICKSBURG  IN  1863,          .....  182 

THE  BATTLE  OF  FREDERICKSBURG   (full  page),       ....  185 

TAIL-PIECE  —  A  SMALL  HOWITZER,            .......  191 

HEAD-PIECE  —  LANDSCAPE,          ........  192 

TAIL-PIECE  —  CAVALRY  STABLE  IN  THE  FIELD,       ....  201 

HEAD-PIECE, —  A  NATURALIST'S  OUTFIT, 202 

BURNSIDE'S  WELCOME  AT  KNOXVILLE  (full  page),            .         .         .  205 

PORTRAIT  OF  GEN.  JOHN  G.   PARKE.         ......  209 

TAIL-PIECE  —  METHOD  OF  CARRYING  A  SHELL.        ....  212 

HEAD-PIECE  —  THE    SCENE  OF  LONGSTREET'S  ATTACK    ON    FORT 

SAUNDERS,     ......         .....  213 

PORTRAIT  OF  "PARSON"  W.   G.   BROWNLOW,          ....  215 

BURNSIDE'S  HEADQUARTERS  AT  KNOXVILLE,  TENN.,      .         .         .  217 

THE  OLD  "  WHIG  "  OFFICE, 219 

SPOTTSYLVANIA  COURT  HOUSE,         .         .         .         .         .         .         .  225 


!  6  ILL  US  TRA  TIONS. 

PAGE. 

COLD  HARBOR  BATTLE-GROUND.        .......  229 

TAIL-PIECE  —  TORPEDOES, 235 

PORTRAIT  OF  GEN.  U.  S.  GRANT, 237 

PORTRAIT  OF  GEN.   GEO.   G.   MEADE,        ......  241 

TAIL-PIECE  —  A  13-iNcir  MORTAR. 248 

HEAD-PIECE  —  FLOWERS,              ........  249 

PORTRAIT  OF  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN,            ......  261 

SOLDIERS  AND  SAILORS  MONUMENT,  PROVIDENCE,          ..        .         .  269 

LIGHT  ARTILLERY  IN  MOTION,          .         .         .         .         .                  .  274 

TAIL-PIECE  —  A  WATER  TANK, 294 

"  EDGHILL,"  RESIDENCE  OF  GENERAL  BURNSIDE,  BRISTOL,  R.  I.,  307 

TAIL-PIECE  —  MILITARY  CAP, 312 

THE  CAPITOL  AT  WASHINGTON,  D.  C., 315 

TAIL-PIECE  —  BOMB-SHELL,          ........  321 

PORTRAIT  OF  PRESIDENT  HAYES.      .......  325 

PORTRAIT  OF  PRESIDENT  GARFIELD,         ......  373 

HEAD-PIECE  —  LANDSCAPE,         ........  385 

BRISTOL,  THE  SENATOR'S  HOME  (full  page),            ....  387 

EDIFICE  IN  WHICH  GENERAL  BURNSIDE'S  REMAINS  LAY  IN  STATE.  395 

HEAD-PIECE  —  GAUNTLET  AND  S\VORD,      ......  397 

A  VIEW  OF  PROVIDENCE,  R.  I. .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .  399 

TAIL-PIECE  —  AN  ANGEL, 410 

PORTRAIT  OF  GENERAL  BURNSIDE'S  COLLEAGUE,  SENATOR  II.  B. 

ANTHONY,     ...........  413 

TAIL-PIECE  —  EXTINGUISHING  THE  LAMP,        .....  444 


MAPS. 

MAP  OF  THE  BULL  RUN  BATTLE-FIELD, 115 

MAP  OF  ROANOKE  ISLAND,        ........  137 

MAP  OF  THE  BATTLE-FIELD  OF  ANTIETAM,     .....  177 

MAP  OF  THE  BATTLE-FIELD  OF  FREDERICKSBURG,          .         .         .  195 
THE  SCENE  OF  OPERATIONS  AT  KNOXVILLE,  TENN. ,      .         .         .221 

MAP  OF  THE  BATTLE-FIELD  OF  SPOTTSYLVANIA,     ....  227 

MAP  OF  THE  BATTLE-FIELD  OF  COLD  HARBOR,      ....  233 

THE  SCENE  OF  OPERATIONS  AROUND  PETERSBURG,        .         .         .  245 


[Birthplace  of  General  Burnside.*\ 


CHAPTER  I. 


GENERAL  BURNSIDE'S  CHARACTERISTICS  — ANCESTRY  — THE  WHIGS 
AXD  THE  TORIES  OF  SOUTH  CAROLIXA  —  BANISHMENT  AND 
CONFISCATION  -JAMAICA  INDIGO  PLANTATIONS  GRANTED  TO 
THE  EXILES  — AMNESTY  AXD  RETURN  —  SLAVERY  IX  SOUTH 
CAROLIXA— EMIGRATIONS  TO  FREE  TERRITORY— EARLY  COURTS 
OF  INDIANA. 

AIBROSE  E.  BURNSIDE  was  a  valiant  soldier, 
a  sound-hearted  citizen,  and  a  useful  statesman. 
Living,  after  he  had  attained  his  manhood,  in  an 
heroic  age,  he  was  alike  earnest  in  the  performance  of 
duty,  spotless  in  reputation,  loyally  patriotic,  and  faithful 
in  his  friendships.  Born  and  reared  among  the  primeval 
forests  of  what  was  then  "  the  far  West,"  he  rose  from  an 
humble  sphere  of  life  to  high  commands  in  the  armies  of 
the  Union,  and  subsequently  to  leading  positions  in  the 
state  of  his  adoption  and  in  the  national  councils.  Tfre 
purity  of  his  motives,  the  strength  of  his  judgment,  his 
unconquerable  will,  his  indomitable  courage,  his  unstudied 
yet  forcible  eloquence  from  a  heart  filled  with  belief,  his 

*  From  a  sketcli  by  B.  S.  Fosdick,  E$q.,  of  Liberty,  Ind. 


Tg  LIFE  AND  PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

gracious  presence  and  his  dignified  courtesy,  were  only 
eclipsed  by  his  genial,  affectionate,  trusting  disposition. 
He  made  loving  kindness  the  guide  of  his  life  ;  —  no  wrong 
was  done  him  that  he  did  not  forgive,  neither  did  he  shrink 
from  assuming  the  responsibilities  of  defeat,  rather  than 
throw  upon  others  the  blame  that  justly  belonged  to  them. 
His  form  and  features  will  be  transmitted  to  future  genera 
tions  by  painters,  by  photographers,  and  by  sculptors, 
and  his  career,  from  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion 
until  his  untimely  death,  is  chronicled  on  interesting  pages 
of  the  Nation's  history.  It  is  now  proposed  to  record,  with 
his  public  life,  his  ancestry,  his  family  connections,  his 
early  struggles  for  fame,  and  his  private  life,  so  rich  in 
Christian  virtues,  liberal  sentiments,  social  courtesies,  and 
generous  hospitalities.  These  personal  incidents  have  been 
obtained  from  General  Burnside's  surviving  relatives  and 
friends,  while  the  public  archives  have  supplied  copies  of 
important  documents,  hitherto  unpublished,  illustrating  his 
public  life  and  services. 

Robert  Burnside  (the  great-grandfather  of  Gen.  Am 
brose  E.  Burnside),  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  who  had. 
with  his  brother  Joseph,  followed  the  fortunes  of  Prince 
Charles  Edward,  until  the  final  defeat  of  the  "Young 
Pretender"  at  Culloden,  in  1746.  They  then  sought  an 
asylum  in  South  Carolina,  where  Robert  settled  on  the 
bank  of  the  Saluda  River.  Marrying  Rebecca  Dodson,  a 
native  of  Huddersfield,  in  England,  he  became  a  success 
ful  planter,  and  was  the  father  of  three  grown-up  sons, — 
named  James,  Robert,  and  Joseph, —  when  the  American 
colonies  declared  themselves  free  and  independent.  In 
South  Carolina  this  revolutionary  action  did  not  receive 
th-e  united  support  of  the  people,  and  —  strange  to  relate  — 
nearlv  all  of  those  who  had  become  exiles  from  Scotland. 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BUKNSIDE.  JQ 

for  the  part  which  they  had  taken  against  the  reigning 
house  of  Brunswick,  enlisted  under  the  royal  flag,  and 
drew  their  swords  in  the  defense  of  the  cause  of  ''their 
loyal  sovereign,  his  most  gracious  majesty,  King  George." 

The  war  was  bitterly  waged,  and  as  the  Whigs  and  the 
Tories  alternately  triumphed,  reciprocal  injuries  sharpened 
their  resentments,  and  armed  neighbor  against  neighbor- 
brother  against  brother.  Robert  Burnside,  who  was  an 
Episcopalian,  was  loyally  devoted  to  "the  King,  the 
Church,  and  the  Constitution,"  but  he  was  too  far  advanced 
in  life  to  take  up  arms,  and  he  died  soon  after  the  com 
mencement  of  the  sanguinary  struggle.  He  was  sustained 
by  his  oldest  son,  James,  but  his  sons  Robert  and  Joseph 
entered  the  revolutionary  army,  serving  under  Gen.  Francis 
Marion,  known  as  "the  Swamp  Fox,"  and  afterwards  in 
the  "Light  Horse  Legion,"  commanded  by  Col.  Henry 
Lee.  Joseph  was  wounded  in  the  shoulder  at  the  battle  of 
Guilford,  and  after  peace  had  been  declared  he  migrated 
to  Kentucky,  where  he  located  near  Nicholasville,  and 
was  killed  by  the  Indians  in  the  spring  of  1790.  His 
brother  Robert  followed  him  to  Kentucky  in  1789,  and 
became  noted  as  a  successful  farmer,  and  an  ardent  politi 
cal  supporter  of  Andrew  Jackson,  crossing  the  Allegha- 
nies  on  horseback  to  witness  the  inauguration  of  "Old 
Hickory"  in  1829.  The  descendants  of  Robert  and  of 
Joseph  Burnside  now  reside  in  Kentucky. 

James  Burnside  (the  grandfather  of  Ambrose  E.  Burn- 
side),  inherited  the  loyalty  of  his  father,  which  was 
strengthened  by  his  marriage  to  the  daughter  of  James 
Eclghill,  an  Englishman  by  birth,  who  commanded  one 
of  the  twenty-one  regiments  of  loyal  South  Carolinians. 
James  Burnside  served  as  a  captain  in  this  regiment,  and 
when  it  became  certain  that  the  royal  cause  was  hopeless, 


20  LIFE  AND  PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

he  accompanied  his  father-in-law,  Colonel  Edghill,  to  the 
loyal  colony  of  Jamaica.  The  British  government  gave 
them  small  indigo  plantations  there  as  a  recompense  for 
their  home  estates,  which  had  been  confiscated  by  the 
Whigs  of  South  Carolina.  James  Burnside  was  not,  how 
ever,  contented,  and  obtaining  amnesty  for  his  disloyalty 
through  the  influence  of  his  brothers,  he  returned  to  South 
Carolina  in  1786,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  their  three 
young  daughters.  He  settled  on  a  plantation  in  Laurens 
District,  where  his  four  sons,  James,  Andrew,  Edghill,  and 
Thomas  were  successively  born.  He  tried  hard  to  retrieve 
his  fallen  fortunes,  but  he  never  recovered  from  a  compli 
cation  of  diseases  contracted  in  Jamaica,  and  he  died  in 
1798,  leaving  six  children,  who  resided  with  their  mother 
until  Thomas,  the  youngest,  became  of  age.  The  real 
estate  was  then  sold,  and  the  proceeds  were  divided  among 
the  widow  and  her  children  by  the  probate  court.  She 
was  a  woman  who  united  rare  strength  of  judgment  with 
an  indomitable  industry,  and  she  instilled  into  the  youthful 
minds  of  her  sons  and  daughters  those  Christian  virtues 
which  she  practiced  with  exemplary  devotedness. 

At  that  time  the  unrestrained  importation  of  slaves  from 
Africa  had  prompted  many  of  the  Quakers  residing  in 
North  and  South  Carolina  to  emigrate  to  the  then  unsettled 
region  north  of  the  Ohio  River,  and  their  example  was  fol 
lowed  by  others  who  also  entertained  conscientious  objec 
tions  to  slavery.  Among  them  were  Mrs.  Burnside  and 
her  four  sons,  the  two  oldest,  James  and  Andrew,  being 
accompanied  by  their  families.  Before  leaving  South  Car 
olina,  they  executed  deeds  of  manumission  to  their  slaves, 
and  then  started  on  their  long  journey  across  the  moun 
tains.  Taking  flat-boats  at  Pittsburgh,  they  floated  down 
the  Ohio  to  Cincinnati,  where  they  landed,  purchased  their 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE.  2l 

land  warrants,  and  went  by  the  way  of  Hamilton  to  their 
new  homes,  just  across  the  line,  in  what  was  then  the 
territory  of.  Indiana. 

James  Bnrnside,  who  was  the  guiding  spirit  of  the  migrat 
ing  family,  had  visited  Indiana  the  year  previous,  and  had 
selected  a  location  for  settlement,  although  he  did  not  re 
main  there.  He  was  a  native  of  Laurens  County,  South 
Carolina,  where  he  was  born  in  1788,  and  on  attaining  his 
manhood  he  was  married  to  Jane  Crossan,  the  daughter 
of  a  revolutionary  soldier  who  was  permanently  lamed  by  a 
wound  received  in  battle.  A  good  land  surveyor,  he  found 
abundant  employment  in  locating  land  warrants  in  Indiana, 
Illinois,  and  finally  in  Wisconsin,  where  he  found  a  per 
manent  home  in  his  declining  years.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  Wisconsin  in  1846,  and 
he  held,  at  different  times,  a  number  of  local  offices.  After 
a  long  career  of  usefulness,  he  died  in  1868,  having  always 
enjoyed  good  health  until  within  a  few  days  of  his  decease. 
While  he  was  neither  prominent  nor  conspicuous,  it  is  re 
corded  by  the  historians  of  Wisconsin  that  he  was  noted 
for  his  clear  understanding,  strong  sterling  sense,  and  a 
firm  integrity  of  purpose  which  endeared  him  to  all  of  his 
associates.  His  son,  Col.  J.  O.  P.  Burnside,  was  a  gallant 
officer  in  the  Union  army,  and  was  subsequently  in  the 
postal  service  of  the  United  States. 

Two  of  the  daughters  of  James  Burnside,  senior,  who 
had  married  in  South  Carolina  after  they  had  come  with 
their  parents  from  Jamaica,  remained  there.  The  third 
daughter  accompanied  her  mother  and  brothers  to  Indi 
ana,  buther  stay  there  was  short.  Mrs.  Burnside,  accom 
panied  by  her  oldest  son,  Andrew,  her  youngest  son, 
Thomas,  and  her  unmarried  daughter,  only  remained  in 
Indiana  about  two  years.  They  then  returned  to  South 


22  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

Carolina,  and  went  from  there  to  Columbia  County,  Geor 
gia.  Thomas  studied  law,  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and 
had  a  lucrative  practice  when  he  was  elected  to  the  State 
Legislature.  Georgia  was  at  that  time  agitated  by  the 
political  feuds  of  the  adherents  of  Troup  and  of  Clark, 
and  several  times  in  debate  Thomas  Burnside  was  alluded 
to  by  a  revolutionary  veteran,  Peter  Crawford,  who  was 
one  of  his  opponents,  as  the  son  of  a  Tory.  When  they 
met  on  "the  stump ;'  in  the  ensuing  political  canvass, 
Crawford  repeated  his  accusations,  and  Burnside  retal 
iated  by  telling  a  scandalous  story  about  his  opponent's 
daughter. 

Duelling  was  then  the  common  way  of  adjusting  differ 
ences  between  gentlemen,  and  was  regarded  as  an  alter 
native  that  could  not  be  excluded  from  modern  civilization, 
as  the  abolition  of  it  would  render  violent  tempers  intolera 
ble.  Every  gentleman  had  his  brace  of  duelling  pistols, 
often  imposing  in  size,  with  flint  locks  and  hair-triggers, 
and  bearing  notches  cut  on  the  stock, —  ominous  hiero 
glyphics  indicating  that  so  many  fatal  shots  had  been  fired 
from  it.  George  W.  Crawford  (afterwards  Secretary  of 
War),  a  son  of  Peter  Crawford,  no  sooner  heard  of  the 
remarks  affecting  the  reputation  of  his  sister,  than  he  chal 
lenged  Thomas  Burnside.  The  challenge  was  accepted, 
and  they  fought  with  pistols,  just  across  the  state  line,  in 
Florida.  On  the  first  fire  Burnside  fell,  mortally  wounded. 
His  family  remained  in  Georgia,  and  two  of  his  sons,  who 
served  in  the  confederate  army,  were  killed  in  the  valley 
of  Virginia  during  the  war  for  the  suppression  of  the 
Rebellion. 

Edghill  Burnside  (the  father  of  Ambrose  E.  Burnside), 
was  born  in  Laurens  District,  South  Carolina,  in  1790. 
His  father  gave  him  the  family  name  of  his  mother  as  a 


GEN.    AMBROSE    E.    Hint. \SfDE.  2Q 

baptismal  appellation,  and  he  received  a  good  English 
education  at  a  neighborhood  school,  kept  by  a  Scotchman. 
As  he  grew  up,  he  became  impressed  by  intercourse  with 
his  Quaker  neighbors  with  a  desire  to  leave  South  Carolina 
and  its  "peculiar  institutions"  for  a  region  where  there 
was  "  neither  slavery  nor  involuntary  servitude,"  and  this 
desire  was  increased  by  the  favorable  reports  brought  back 
by  his  elder  brother  James,  after  an  exploring  expedition 
to  the  territory  of  Indiana. 

Accompanying  his  family,  Edghill  Burnside  selected  as 
his  future  home  a  quarter  of  a  section  of  public  land,  in 
the  vicinity  of  a  town  just  staked  out,  named  Liberty,  in 
what  was  then  Franklin  County-  There  he  became  one 
of  those  stalwart  pioneers  who  laid  the  foundations  of  the 
great  State  of  Indiana,  and  who  became  identified  with  its 
growth  and  its  prosperity.  They  had  not  the  advantages 
for  intellectual  improvement  found  in  the  older  states,  but 
circumstances  around  them  developed  stout  hearts,  rugged 
honesty,  patient  industry,  and  self-reliant  manhood,  which 
subdued  the  forests  and  their  savage  denizens,  and  made 
the  wild  prairies  blossom  like  the  rose.  Edghill  Burnside 
was  a  large,  heavy-framed  man.  with  a  strong  intellect, 
and  the  stubborn  tenacity  of  purpose  of  his  Scotch  ances 
tors. 

Soon  after  he  reached  Indiana,  Edghill  Burnside  re 
ceived  the  congratulations  of  his  friends  as  the  happy 
bridegroom  of  Pamelia  Brown,  to  whom  he  was  married 
on  the  1 4th  of  July,  1814.  She,  like  himself,  was  a  native 
of  Laurens  District,  South  Carolina,  where  she  was  born 
on  the  I5th  of  September,  1795.  She  was  the  daughter 
of  John  Brown,  who  had  emigrated  from  Belfast,  Ireland, 
to  South  Carolina,  when  seventeen  years  of  age.  and  had 
married  Sarah  Weeks,  a  native  of  Maryland.  Pamelia 


2A  LIFE    AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

Brown  is  remembered  by  those  who  enjoyed  her  acquaint 
ance  as  having  the  fair  skin  and  brown  hair  of  her  Cel 
tic  ancestors,  with  large,  expressive  hazel  eyes.  Quiet 
and  domestic,  she  was  a  devoted  wife  and  an  affectionate* 
mother,  sacrificing  her  own  health  to  promote  the  comfort 
of  her  husband  and  their  children. 

For  a  while,  after  going  to  Indiana,  Edghill  Burnside 
and  his  brother  taught  school  and  assisted  the  land  survey 
ors.  The  following  year  Union  County  was  organized, 
with  the  town  of  Liberty  as  its  county  seat,  and  Edghill 
Burnside  was  elected  an  associate  judge  of  the  circuit 
court.  These  courts  were  composed  of  a  president  judge, 
learned  in  the  law,  elected  by  the  Legislature,  and  two 
associate  judges,  elected  in  each  county  by  the  people. 
These  "side  judges.''  as  they  were  called,  generally  made 
no  pretensions  to  any  particular  knowledge  of  the  law, 
but  still  they  had  the  power  to  over-rule  the  president 
judge,  and  give  the  opinion  of  the  court.  Sometimes  they 
'k  out-guessed"  the  president,  giving  the  most  preposterous 
reasons  imaginable  for  their  decisions,  as,  in  one  instance, 
that  a  writ  of  scirc  facias  to  revive  a  judgment  would  not 
lie,  unless  it  was  sued  out  within  a  year  and  a  day.  The 
associate  judges  also  individually  exercised  minor  judicial 
power  in  their  respective  localities,  and  Judge  Burnside 
soon  became  noted  for  his  success  in  reconciling  angry 
litigants  when  called  upon  to  weigh  their  respective  cases 
in  the  scales  of  justice.  Disputed  claims  between  neigh 
bors  were  adjusted  by  compromise,  and  the  log  cabin  in 
which  he  administered  justice  was  in  truth  a  court  of  con 
ciliation.  Gaining  the  confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens, 
and  becoming  acquainted  with  legal  documents  and  judi 
cial  proceedings.  Judge  Burnside  was  persuaded  to  accept 
the  office  of  clerk  of  the  county  courts,  which  he  held  by 


JUDGE     EUGHILL     BURNSIDE. 
(The  General's  Father.) 


I 


JUDGE     KlHiUlLI.     DUKNSIDE. 
(T/i;  Gc'iiL-rafs  Fxi/ier.) 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE.  25 

repeated  re-elections  for  twenty-eight  years,  when  the 
adoption  of  the  new  state  constitution  of  1850  rendered 
him  ineligible.  The  fees  which  he  received,  however, 
were  barely  sufficient,  with  the  utmost  economy,  to  sup 
port  his  family.  Tardy  in  pressing  for  the  small  sums  due 
him,  he  thereby  frequently  lost  them  altogether,  and  he 
was  more  attentive  to  his  official  duties  than  he  was  to  his 
own  pecuniary  affairs. 

judge  Burnside  and  his  first  wife  were  the  parents  of 
nine  children  :  Cynthia  Ann  was  born  June  4,  1815, 
married  to  Benjamin  Gould  Nov.  20,  1832,  and  died  July 
10,  1879.  Henrietta  was  born  May  21,  1817,  married  to 
Norman  Ross  Nov.  26,  1840,  and  died  March  7,  1847. 
Henry  M.  was  born  Sept.  15,  1819,  married  to  Camilla 
Cornell  Nov.  18,  1845,  and  died  Aug.  9,  1874.  Ambrose 
E.  was  born  May  23,  1824,  married  to  Mary  R.  Bishop 
April  27,  1852,  and  died  Sept.  13,  iSSi.  Benjamin  F. 
was  born  May  30,  1826,  married  to  Lydia  Ann  Zoudst, 
and  died  Nov.  16,  1831.  Ellen  W.,  born  Oct.  30.  1829, 
is  now  living  at  Liberty,  Indiana.  Thomas  Brown  was 
born  July  u,  1832,  and  died  April  9,  1833.  Harrison  E. 
was  born  May  28,  1834,  an£l  cu'ec^  April  13.  1835.  Wil 
liam  Brown  was  born  May  24,  1838,  and  died  Sept.  7, 
1838. 


[Place  of  First  Business    Veninr* 


CHAPTER  II. 


BIRTH  AND  NAME  — QUAKER  EDUCATION  —  DETECTIVE  SKILL- 
YOUTHFUL  TRAITS  — RELIGIOUS  VIEWS  — LOVE  OF  THE  MILI 
TARY—APPLICATION  FOR  A  CADETSHIP—  POLITICAL  INFLU 
ENCE—APPOINTMENT  AS  A  CADET— LETTER  OF  ACCEPTANCE 
—  DEPARTURE  FOR  WEST  POINT. 

A1BROSE  E.  BURNSIDE  (the  fourth  child  of 
Judge  Edghill  Burnside),  was  born  in  the  log 
cabin  on  his  father's  farm,  near  Liberty,  Union 
County,  Indiana,  on  the  twenty-third  day  of  May,  1824. 
The  attendant  physician,  Dr.  Sylvanus  Everts,  at  first 
almost  despaired  of  establishing  respiration,  but  by  titillat 
ing  the  nostrils  with  the  feather  of  a  chicken,  he  excited  a 
spasm  of  the  respiratory  apparatus,  and  gave  the  boy  a 
start  in  life.  The  wife  of  Dr.  Everts,  who  was  Mrs. 
Burnside's  most  intimate  friend  in  their  new  home,  had 
recently  lost  her  first-born  child,  who  had  been  named 
Ambrose,  after  his  grandfather,  Ambrose  Everts,  an  emi- 


1  From  a  sketch  by  B.  S.  Fosdick,  Esq.,  of  Liberty.  Ind. 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE.  2y 

grant  from  Vermont  to  Ohio  in  1794-  Mrs.  Burnside,  as 
a  mark  of  sympathy  and  of  affection  for  her  friend,  named 
the  babe  Ambrose  Everts  Burnside.  A  few  years  after 
wards  Dr.  Everts  removed  to  La  Porte  County,  Indiana, 
and  when  the  youth's  name  was  inscribed  on  the  roster  of 
the  military  academy,  Everts  was  unintentionally  changed 
to  Everett,  an  error  which  was  never  corrected. 

The  village  of  Liberty  was  noted  for  the  good  order  and 
quiet  of  its  citizens,  but  was  more  particularly  distin 
guished  for  the  excellence  of  its  schools.  The  Miami 
University,  then  Ohio's  favorite  institution  of  learning,  was 
but  a  few  miles  distant,  yet  her  professors,  except  in  num 
ber,  could  claim  no  superiority  over  the  teachers  in  the 
seminary  at  Liberty.  The  principal  was  Dr.  Houghton, 
a  Quaker  preacher,  who  was  a  ripe  scholar,  endowed  with 
the  happy  faculty  of  imparting  knowledge  and  of  inspir 
ing  his  pupils  with  a  spirit  of  inquiry  that  secured  their 
advancement.  Young  Ambrose  was  acknowledged  in  his . 
youth  to  be  an  obedient  scholar  and  a  faithful  student. 
Under  the  guidance  of  Dr.  Houghton  he  rapidly  acquired 
a  sound  knowledge  of  the  practical  branches  of  mathemat 
ics,  rhetoric,  logic,  and  moral  philosophy.  When  he  left 
the  seminary  he  was  further  advanced  in  education  than 
boys  of  his  age  generally  are. 

An  incident  which  occurred  while  Ambrose  was  a  pupil 
at  the  seminary  shows  the  determined  courage  of  the  com 
ing  man.  He  and  an  elder  brother  were  members  of  a 
debating  club  which  held  its  sessions  at  the  Court  House. 
One  evening,  at  the  close  of  the  debate,  when  the  mem 
bers  were  about  to  separate,  the  elder  Burnside  missed  his 
pocket-book,  containing  a  small  sum  of  money.  At  first 
he  supposed  that  it  had  been  taken  as  a  joke,  but  no  one 
offered  to  return  it,  and  Ambrose,  to  the  surprise  of  all 


28  LIFE  AND  PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

present,  locked  the  door,  saying:  "There  is  the  thief — 
let  him  be  searched."  The  other  members  of  the  club 
stood  astonished,  for  the  accused  was  a  young  lawyer  who 
had  been  invited  by  an  old  practitioner  to  settle  in  Lib 
erty,  where  he  had  already  begun  to  secure  clients.  He 
became  very  indignant,  blustering  and  threatening  severe 
punishment  to  any  one  who  would  attempt  to  search .  his 
person.  Ambrose  Burnside,  nothing  daunted,  stepped  up 
to  him,  seized  him  by  the  collar  with  one  hand,  and  soon 
produced  the  missing  pocket-book  from  one  of  his  pockets. 
Before  the  dawn  of  the  succeeding  day,  the  culprit  had 
left  for  parts  unknown,  and  it  then  became  known  that  on 
several  previous  occasions  his  fellow-boarders  had  lost 
money  from  their  pockets  at  night.  No  one  had  ever  inti 
mated  that  the  young  lawyer  was  the  thief,  but  young 
Burnside  had  heard  of  the  thefts,  and  his  quick  percep 
tion  had  prompted  him  to  expose  the  purloiner  of  his 
brother's  pocket-book,  at  some  personal  risk. 

On  the  ipth  of  May,  1841,  young  Burnside's  mother  died, 
beloved  and  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  her.  The  expen 
ses  of  educating  him  for  a  profession,  in  accordance  with 
her  wishes,  were  too  onerous  for  the  paternal  pocket,  and 
Ambrose  was  forced  to  avail  himself  of  the  only  visible 
means  for  earning  his  own  livelihood.  When  upwards  of 
seventeen  years  of  age,  he  was  indentured  as  the  appren 
tice  of  John  E.  Dunham,  a  merchant  tailor,  who  resided 
.at  Centreville,  Wayne  County,  Indiana,  about  fifteen  miles 
from  Liberty.  At  first  the  errand  boy  of  the  shop,  he  was 
soon  promoted  to  a  seat  on  the  board,  where  lie  won  the 
approval  of  his  master  by  his  industry  and  skill. 

The  young  tailor's  vitality  and  great  powers  of  endur 
ance  were  soon  well  known  in  Centreville,  as  after  a  long 
day's  work,  seated  cross-legged  on  the  shop-board,  he  was 


GEN.    AMU  HOSE   E.    BURNSIDE.  2Q 

ready  to  pass  the  night  \vith  jovial  companions,  only  ask 
ing  for  two  or  three  hours'  sleep  as  the  morning  advanced. 
Fond  of  female  society,  he  was  a  regular  attendant  on  the 
village  belles  at  dancing-assemblies,  singing-schools,  quilt- 
ings  and  evening  prayer-meetings.  It  was  not  long  before 
lie  was  the  leading  beau  in  Centreville,  his  social  urbanity, 
courteous  manners,  and  frank,  hearty  address  giving  him 
a  high  social  reputation  in  that  neighborhood. 

He  became  a  skillful  mechanic,  but  his  heart  was  not 
in  his  work,  and  while  he  cut,  and  basted,  and  stitched, 
and  pressed,  he  managed  to  read  every  book  that  he 
could  borrow.  The  appetite  for.  knowledge  grew  by  what 
it  fed  upon,  and  he  became  especially  fond  of  reading  the 
lives  of  military  heroes  and  the'  narratives  of  campaigns. 
Veterans  who  had  served  under  Jackson  at  New  Orleans, 
and  under  Harrison  in  the  Indian  wars,  found  in  him  an 
attentive  listener  as  they  narrated  their  exploits,  and  he 
became  familiar  with  the  details  of  the  battles  which  they 
described. 

The  young  man's  term  of  apprenticeship  having  expired, 
he  returned  to  Liberty,  where  he  worked  for  a  short  time 
as  a  journeyman,  and  then  entered  into  partnership  with 
John  M.  Myers.  The  firm  of  "  Myers  &  Burnside,  Mer 
chant  Tailors,''  occupied  a  small,  one-story,  wooden  build 
ing,  and  their  only  apprentice,  Benajah  S.  Fosdick  (now 
a  leading  merchant  at  Liberty),  slept  with  Burnside  on  a 
mattress  placed  on  the  shop-board  at  night,  and  stowed 
away  under  it  in  the  day-time. 

Young  Burnside  was  a  regular  attendant  at  the  Metho-  - 
dist  Episcopal  Church  at  Liberty,  and  he  was  the  secretary 
of  its  Sunday  School,  in  which  his  father  and  two  of  his  sis 
ters  were  teachers.     The  religious  convictions  thus  formed,  j_ 
based  on  a  pure,  biblical  faith,  were  never  shaken  by  skep- 


•jo  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

ticism  or  infidelity.  He  was,  through  his  eventful  life, 
a  daily  reader  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  his  esteemed 
friend,  the  Rev.  Augustus  Woodbury,  the  chaplain  of  the 
First  Rhode  Island  Regiment  when  he  was  its  commander, 
bore  testimony  at  his  funeral  to  the  deep  religious  element 
in  his  character.  "  It  may  not."  said  Mr.  Woodbury, 
••  have  often  come  to  the  surface,  certainly  not  in  anv 
ostentatious  way,  but  it  lay  within  him,  his  safeguard  from 
many  an  ill,  his  encouragement  in  many  a  difficult  duty, 
and  his  support  in  many  a  sore  and  trying  experience." 
He  was,  in  the  truest  meaning  of  the  term,  a  Christian 
gentleman,  illustrating  the  Golden  Rule,  by  his  honest 
works,  his  honest  utterance,  and  his  honest  faith. 

The  rural  surroundings  of  young  Burnside  gave  strength 
to  his  judgment  and  freedom  to  his  speech,  and  he  became 
the  leading  spirit  of  the  village  debating  society,  never 
seeking  oratorical  effect,  or  dropping  into  the  discussion 
any  poisonous  ingredients.  Then,  as  in  his  after  life,  he 
possessed  the  remarkable  facility  of  making  friends  as  if 
by  some  power  of  fascination,  and  attracting  them  to  him 
by  ties  which  were  rarely  weakened.  He  was  noted  for 
his  neatness  and  order,  and  although  of  an  impetuous  tem 
perament,  he  was,  nevertheless,  persevering  and  firm  of 
purpose.  On  one  occasion  a  troublesome  fellows  some 
what  intoxicated,  came  into  his  shop  and  began  to  abuse 
him.  Young  Burnside  endured  the  infliction  patiently  for 
a  while,  then  sprang  from  his  shop-board,  and  seizing  the 
man  by  the  shoulders,  pushed  him  into  the  street. 

Success  rewarded  his  industry  and  good  behavior,  but 
his  sedentary  employment  grew  distasteful,  and  he  longed 
for  out-of-door  exercise.  He  used  to  hold  long  discus 
sions  on  military  matters  with  his  partner,  Mr.  Myers, 
who  had  some  military  experience,  and  who  subsequently 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE.  -,  r 

served  creditably  as  the  colonel  of  a  regiment  of  Indiana 
volunteers  in  the  Mexican  war.  They  used  to  study  tac 
tics  with  the  aid  of  buttons  ranged  on  their  shop-board, 
and  on  one  occasion  young  Burnside  patiently  worked  out 
a  movement  "en  echelon"  by  changing  the  positions  oi 
over  rive  hundred  buttons,  one  at  a  time,  in  the  "  deploy 
ment  from  line  into  column." 

There  is  a  tradition  at  Liberty,  that  on  one  occasion  the 
Hon.  Caleb  B.  Smith,  then  the  Representative  in  the  Fed 
eral  Congress  from  that  district,  was  about  to  start  on  an 
electioneering  tour,  when  he  discovered  that  there  was  a 
rent  in  his  coat.  Stepping  into  the  tailor's  shop  to  have 
it  mended,  he  found  no  one  there  but  young  Burnside, 
who  was  stitching  away  on  a  coat,  while  he  was  atten 
tively  studying  a  volume  of  Cooper's  Tactics,  which  was 
propped  up  by  a  "  goose,"  and  kept  open  by  a  pair  of 
shears. 

Questioning  the  young  man,  the  congressman  was  struck 
with  his  self-reliant  confidence  and  the  unflinching  look 
with  which  he  returned  his  gaze,  and  an  unknown  influence 
prompted  him  to  say:  "  You  should  be  a  cadet  at  West 
Point !"  That  remark  changed  the  young  tailor's  destiny. 
Ardent  and  impulsive,  he  would  not  listen  to  those  who 
told  him  that  he  had  not  the  slightest  chance  of  obtaining 
an  appointment,  and  he  persuaded  his  father  to  make  a 
formal  application  in  his  behalf. 

It  was  fortunate  for  the  young  aspirant  for  martial  life 
that  Judge  Burnside  was  that  year  a  member  of  the  State 
Senate  of  Indiana.  He  thus  obtained  a  recommendation 
that  his  son  might  receive  the  appointment,  signed  by 
nearly  fifty  members  of  the  Legislature,  the  governor,  and 
other  distinguished  citizens.  In  transmitting  these  recom 
mendations.  Judge  Burnside  wrote  to  the  Secretary  of  War, 


32  GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BUHNSIDE. 

saying  in  conclusion  :  "I  have  only  to  say  to  you  that  it 
would  be  a  source  of  gratification  to  me.  could  my  son 
obtain  the  appointment,  as  I  am  induced  to  believe  he  has 
the  constitution  and  mental  capacity  to  sustain  himself 
there." 

Unfortunately  for  the  success  of  the  application,  the 
Hon.  Caleb  B.  Smith  became  involved  in  a  personal  quar 
rel  with  John  Tyler,  then  the  President  of  the  United 
States.  Mr.  Smith's  bitter  denunciations  of  the  adminis 
tration  had  been  republished  in  the  eastern  newspapers, 
and  had  excited  the  anger  of  President  Tyler  and  his 
cabinet  to  such  an  extent  that  his  subsequent  recommenda 
tions  for  office  were  ignored  at  the  departments  at  Wash 
ington.  Meanwhile  Judge  C.  H.  Test,  who  had  been  the 
unsuccessful  competitor  of  Mr.  Smith  in  the  congressional 
election,  took  up  the  cudgels  in-  defense  of  the  administra 
tion.  His  articles  were  copied  in  the  Madisonian^  Presi 
dent  Tyler's  Washington  "  organ,"  and  it  was  soon  known 
in  Indiana  that  candidates  for  postrnasterships  and  other 
places  recommended  by  him  received  their  appointments 
without  delay. 

Judge  Burnside  at  last  learned  the  exact  position  of  his 
son's  application,  and  also  became  convinced  that  he  had 
made  a  mistake  in  selecting  a  calling  for  him.  He  then 
applied  to  Judge  Test,  who  wrote  a  note  to  Mr.  Robert 
Tyler,  the  President's  son  and  private  secretary,  asking 
him  to  interpose  in  behalf  of  young  Burnside.  The 
appointment  was  promptly  made,  and  enclosed  to  Judge 
Test,  who  placed  it  in  the  hands  of  the  delighted  recipient. 
He  at  once  wrote  the  following  letter  of  acceptance,  which, 
with  the  required  parental  indorsement,  was  transmitted 
to  Washington  : 


w* 

Iff 

'/    S'jOfL  JRJa'",  ^$n. 
Jf-^.-Jg*.    ', 


• 


34  GEN.   AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

LIBERTY,  March  17,  1843. 
HON.  J.  M.  PORTER, 

Secretary  of  War. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  a  communica 
tion  of  the  8th  of  March,  informing  me  that  the  President  has  conferred 
upon  me  a  conditional  appointment  of  cadet  in  the  service  of  the  United 
States,  and  to  inform  vou  of  my  acceptance  of  the  same. 

Very  Respectfullv, 

Your  Obedient  Servant, 

AMBROSE  E.  BURXSIDE. 

I  hereby  assent  to  the  above  acceptance  by  my  son  of  his  conditional 
appointment  as  a  cadet,  and  he  has  my  full  permission  to  sign  articles  by 
which  he  will  bind  himself  to  serve  the  United  States  eight  years,  unless 

sooner  discharged. 

KDGIIILL  BURNSIDE. 

The  people  of  Liberty  bade  farewell  to  their  young 
townsman  with  regret,  for  he  had  won  their  confidence, 
their  respect,  and  their  affection.  The  survivors  of  those 
days  now  allude  to  him  with  pride,  and  hold  .up  his  indus 
trious  habits,  his  good  conduct,  and  his  genial  manners, 
for  the  emulation  of  young  men  who  may  be  struggling 
to  rise,  by  their  own  exertions,  from  penury  to  high  and 
honorable  positions. 


-       •'•-< 


rm:-, :  ,w< 

i._ff^-MV   :,;..        ,    : 


34  GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

'         LIBERTY,  March  17,  1843. 
HON.  J.  M.  PORTER, 

Secretary  of  War. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  a  communica 
tion  of  the  Sth  of  March,  informing  me  that  the  President  has  conferred 
upon  me  a  conditional  appointment  of  cadet  in  the  service  of  the  United 
States,  and  to  inform  vou  of  mv  acceptance  of  the  same. 

Very  Respectfully, 

Your  Obedient  Servant, 

AMBROSE  E.  BURNSIDE. 

I  hereby  assent  to  the  above  acceptance  by  my  son  of  his  conditional 
appointment  as  a  cadet,  and  he  has  my  full  permission  to  sign  articles  by 
which  he  will  bind  himself  to  serve  the  United  States  eight  vears,  unless 

sooner  discharged. 

EDCMIILL  BURNSIDE. 

The  people  of  Liberty  bade  farewell  to  their  young 
townsman  with  regret,  for  he  had  won  their  confidence, 
their  respect,  and  their  affection.  The  survivors  of  those 
days  now  allude  to  him  with  pride,  and  hold  .up  his  indus 
trious  habits,  his  good  conduct,  and  his  genial  manners, 
for  the  emulation  of  young  men  who  may  be  struggling 
to  rise,  by  their  own  exertions,  from  penury  to  high  and 
honorable  positions. 


CHAPTER  III. 


THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY  — FORMATION  OF  LIKK  FRIENDSHIPS  — 
DRILL  AND  DISCIPLINE  -  SHAVING  A  HISON  —  CADET  RANK- 
"HENXY  HAVENS,  O  !  "  —  PROFICIEXC  Y  IX  STUDIES  —  FINAL  EX 
AMINATION'S—CHANGING  THE  GRAY  FOR  TIIK  HLUE. 

"T    "IT     TEST  POINT  was  a  glorious  laboratory  for  the 

\ /\  /  transformation  of  an  awkward  countrv  lad, 
V  V  fresh  from  his  work-bench,  into  "  an  officer 
and  a  gentleman.'1  To  young  Burnside  the  military  acad 
emy,  with  its  surroundings,  appeared  like  fairy  land,  and 
he  was  charmed  with  what  he  saw.  There  was  the  parade- 
ground  on  which  Washington  witnessed  battalion  drills  by 
that  irascible  tactician,  Baron  Steuben,  and  the  romantic 
haunt  of  Kosciuszko  still  retained  its  picturesque  beauty. 
Near  bv  was  Stony  Point,  the  scene  of  Wayne's  exploit, 
and  on  every  hand  were  eloquent  testimonials  of  the  vigor 
of  our  soldiers  and  of  the  achievements  of  our  armies. 

The  class  of  1847,  which  entered  the  military  academy 
on  the  ist  of  July,  1843.  numbered  fifty-three  cadets,  from 
every  section  of  the  United  States.  In  that  class,  and 
other  classes  which  immediately  preceded  and  followed 


36  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

it,  were  a  number  who  afterwards  became  famous,  includ 
ing  Generals  McClellan,  Hancock,  Parke,  Pleasanton,  Fitz 
John  Porter,  Hatch,  Sackett.  Granger,  Russell,  Pitcher, 
Foster,  Reno,  Stoneman,  Gibbs,  Frye,  Gibbon,  Griffin, 
Viele,  De  Russy,  Duane,  Michler,  Tidball,  Gilmore, 
Benet,  Baird,  and  McKeever,  of  the  Union  army,  with 
Generals  T.  J.  (Stonewall)  Jackson,  Buckner,  Bee, 
Rhett,  Wilcox,  Maxey,  Pickett,  Hill,  Heth,  Steuart, 
Withers,  and  Robinson,  who  espoused  the  Confederate 
cause.  Then  all  were  loyal,  and  life-lasting  friendships 
were  formed  between  cadets  from  the  North  and  from  the 
South,  as  they  vied  with  each  other  in  qualifying  them 
selves  for  upholding  the  national  glory. 

Cadet  Burnside  was  assigned  to  a  room  in  the  old  North 
Barrack,  No.  8,  and  had  as  a  room-mate  Cadet  Heth,  of 
Virginia.  They  soon  became  the  most  devoted  of  friends, 
and  not  once  during  the  four  years  of  their  joint  occupancy 
of  that  room  did  a  harsh  word  or  cross  look  mar  their 
friendship.  Their  beds  were  always  side  by  side,  and 
often  in  the  still  hours  of  night  the  young  Indianian  would 
leave  his  own,  seek  that  of  his  Virginia  comrade,  and  with 
his  head  pillowed  on  his  shoulder,  sleep  the  sleep  of  peace 
ful  youth,  to  be  aroused  only  by  the  morning  gun,  calling 
them  to  the  duties  of  another  day. 

The  daily  duties  at  the  academy  were  varied  and  inter 
esting,  especially  during  the  summer  months,  when,  in 
addition  to  the  severe  studies  of  the  class-rooms,  the  cadets 
were  practically  exercised  in  the  art  of  war.  The  encamp 
ment,  with  its  sentinels,  gave  the  e fleet  of  the  tented  field, 
with  its  drills,  manoeuvres,  and  discipline.  There  were 
the  artillery  drills,  during  which  the  athletic  young  men 
rattled  the  heavy  field-pieces  about  like  so  many  plav- 
things,  loading,  firing,  swabbing,  attacking  and  repellincr 
with  as  great  a  degree  of  accuracy,  rapidity,  precision, 


GEX.    AiMHItOSE   E.    Hl'ltXSIDE.  07 

and  skill  as  could  be  exhibited  in  actual  warfare.  At  the 
cavalry  exercises  in  the  riding-school,  feats  of  horseman 
ship  were  performed  that  made  the  lady  spectators  shudder 
with  fright,  and  that  rivaled  in  daring  and  skill  some  of 
the  classical  performances  of  the  ancient  circus.  Then 
fortifications  would  be  laid  out,  fascines  would  be  made, 
and  bridges  would  be  built  out  into  the  river  on  pontoons, 
launched  from  their  wagons.  The  art  of  war  was  exem 
plified. 

Cadet  Burnside  was,  when  he  entered  the  academy,  tall, 
erect,  and  compactly  built,  with  the  same  style  of  side  whis 
kers  which  he  wore  through  life.  Mastering  the  drill,  he 

O  O 

became  an  animated  automaton  on  parade,  while  his  quick 
apprehension  and  retentive  memory  enabled  him  to  master 
his  studies  with  comparatively  little  effort.  The  professors 
liked  him,  although  he  was  soon  regarded  as  somewhat 
wild  when  off  duty.  Among  his  classmates  he  was  a 
universal  favorite.  His  quick  perception  of  character,  in 
tegrity  of  purpose,  and  the  moral  courage  which  prompted 
his  action  upon  his  convictions,  enabled  him  to  win  the 
regard  of  those  with  whom  he  desired  to  associate,  and 
treat  others  with  cold  civility.  No  cadet  enjoyed  a  frolic 
more  than  he  did,  but  his  conscientious  sense  of  duty  often 
thwarted  mischievous  schemes,  and  such  was  his  innate 
activity  of  mind,  that  it  was  difficult  to  hide  anything  from 
him. 

Cadet  T.  J.  Jackson,  of  Virginia,  afterwards  known  as 
Stonewall  Jackson,  was  of  a  very  different  disposition. 
He  was  regarded  by  the  other  cadets  as  an  awkward,  eccen 
tric  hypochondriac,  who  often  conceived  the  idea  that  he 
was  threatened  with  a  paralysis  of  the  right  arm,  and  he 
would  move  it  up  and  down  like  a  pump-handle  a  certain 
number  of  times,  counting  as  he  continued,  and  getting 
very  angry  if  he  was  interrupted. 


38  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

The  discipline  at  the  military  academy  was  very  strict, 
and  in  addition  to  daily  marks  for  deficiencies  at  recita- 

J 

tions,  by  which  the  relative  standing  of  each  cadet  was 
ascertained  at  the  end  of  the  academic  year,  demerit  marks 
were  given  for  offences  against  the  regulations.  These 
offences  were  often  of  what  would  seem  a  trivial  nature, 
but  they  formed  a  part  of  the  system  of  discipline.  For 
example — "not  neatly  shaved  at  inspection,"  "hair  too 
long  at  inspection,"  "  collar  not  neatly  put  on,"  "  coat  not 
buttoned,"  and  "shoes  not  properly  blacked,''  were  some 
of  the  delinquencies  for  which  demerit  marks  were  given, 
and  when  a  cadet  received  more  than  one  hundred  demerit 
marks  in  six  months,  he  was  dismissed.  Leniency  was 
shown,  however,  to  the  newly-entered  cadets,  by  striking 
off  one-third  of  their  demerit  marks.  At  the  end  of  the 
first  year  Cadet  Burnside's  standing  in  his  class  was  : 
Mathematics,  18  ;  French,  44  ;  and  General  Merit,  31.  His 
demerit  marks  for  the  year  were  198. 

The  cadet  uniform  was  of  the  shade  of  gray  cloth  which 
had  been  adopted  by  General  Scott  for  uniforming  the 
troops  with  which  he  won  the  battle  of  Chippewa,  trimmed 
with  black  braid,  and  ornamented  with  a  profusion  of 
brass  ball-buttons.  In  the  winter,  gray  cloth,  and  in  the 
summer,  white  drilling  pantaloons  were  worn.  The  full- 
dress  hat  was  of  leather,  with  a  woolen  pompon,  with  a 
leather  bellows-topped  cap  for  undress.  The  cadets'  but 
tons  were  prized  by  the  belles  who  visited  West  Point, 
and  who  secured  them  as  "trophies  of  war." 

Entering  upon  his  second  year,  Cadet  Burnside's  sol 
dierly  bearing  and  perfection  in  drill  secured  his  appoint 
ment  as  a  cadet-corporal,  and  he  also  became  somewhat 
noted  for  the  practical  jokes  with  which  he  initiated  the 
newly-appointed  cadets.  One  of  these,  who  came  from 


GEN.    AMHJtOSE   E.    liUR.\  SI  DE.  og 

the  far  West,  had  such  a  profusion  of  long,  bleached, 
sandy  hair  hanging  down  over  his  shoulders,  while  his 
face  was  partially  covered  with  a  light-red  beard,  that  he 
was  at  once  nick-named  "The  Bison."  A  day  or  two 
after  his  arrival  he  was  met  by  Cadet  lleth,  who  told  him 
that  he  could  not  be  aware  of  the  regulations  of  the  acad 
emy,  or  he  would  have  been  to  the  barber-shop  :  and  that 
cadets  who  did  not  have  their  hair  cut  and  their  whiskers 
trimmed  by  the  cadet  barber  within,  twenty-four  hours 
after  their  arrival  at  the  academv,  were  liable  to  be  impris 
oned  twenty  days,  during  which  time  they  would  be  fed 
on  bread  and  water  only.  "The  Bison"  innocently  fell 
into  the  trap,  and  asked  his  informant  if  he  would  kindly 
show  him  the  cadet  barber-shop.  This  was  exactly  what 
was  wanted,  and  the  new  comer  was  escorted  to  the  room 
occupied  by  Burnside  and  Heth,  which  had  been  made  to 
resemble  somewhat  a  barber-shop.  A  large  chair  was 
placed  in  the  centre  of  the  room",  and  at  its  side  was  a 
table,  on  which  were  arranged  hair-brushes,  combs,  scis 
sors,  cologne-water,  and  perfumer}'. 

Burnside,  personating  the  cadet  barber,  was  in  his  shirt 
sleeves,  with  a  large  white  towel  pinned  before  him  like  an 
apron.  When  asked  if  he  could  cut  the  hair  of,  and 
shave  the  new  cadet  before  the  drum  beat  for  evening 
parade,  he  replied  that  he  thought  he  could.  The  victim 
accordingly  took  his  seat,  and  Burnside  began  to  ply  the 
scissors,  timing  his  movements  by  his  watch.  He  had  cut 
the  hair  from  one-half  of  the  young  man's  head,  and  had 
trimmed  the  beard  from  one  side  of  his  face  when  the 
drum  beat,  and  he  said  :  "I  must  go  to  parade,  but  if  you 
will  return  in  an  hour  I  will  finish  the  job."  They  accord 
ingly  left,  taking  with  them  their  victim,  from  whom  they 
separated  at  the  door.  It  so  happened  that  just  then  the 


^o  LIFE  AND  PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

superintendent  of  the  academy  came  along,  and  "  The 
Bison"  seeing  several  of  the  cadets  around  him  take  off  their 
hats  and  caps,  took  his  hat  off  also,  his  appearance  excit 
ing  a  roar  of  laughter  from  those  cadets  who  saw  him.  The 
superintendent  angrily  asked  him  how  he  came  to  appear 
in  such  a  half-shorn  condition,  to  which  the  prompt  reply 
was:  "The  cadet  barber  is  cutting  my  hair  and  shaving 
me  according  to  regulations."  "  Cadet  barber  !"  exclaimed 
the  superintendent,  "  where  is  the  cadet  barber?"  "Up 
in  the  cadet  barber-shop,"  was  the  reply,  pointing  to  the 
North  Barracks.  "Come  with  me,  sir!"  said  the  super 
intendent,  "and  show  me  this  cadet  barber!"  "The 
Bison"'  accordingly  led  the  way  to  the  room  in  which  he 
had  been  partially  despoiled  of  his  locks.  On  entering, 
the  superintendent  saw  on  the  floor  the  evidences  of  the 
tonsorial  operation,  while  Cadets  Burnside  and  Heth,  lying 
on  their  beds,  were  roaring  with  laughter. 

"  So,"  said  the  superintendent,  "this  is  the  cadet  bar 
ber-shop  ;  and  pray  who  is  the  barber?"  Burnside  arose 
to  his  feet,  and  paying  the  usual  military  salute,  said,  "I 
am,  sir!  I  am  the  one  to  be  blamed."  "Well,"  replied 
the  superintendent,  "  let  me  see  you  finish  your  job." 
The  young  man  was  told  to  resume  his  seat  in  the  chair, 
and  Burnside  cut  off  the  remainder  of  his  hair  and  beard, 
receiving  for  some  time  the  sobriquet  of  the  "  cadet 
barber." 

The  cadets  at  West  Point  are  not  only  thoroughly  edu 
cated,  but  they  receive  a  moral  training  in  those  qualities 
and  traits  which  distinguish  the  gentleman.  Particular  at 
tention  is  paid  to  truthfulness,  and  the  opportunities  for 
deceit  in  recitation  are  eliminated  altogether.  At  many 
colleges  students  pass  their  examinations  by  having  the 
answers  to  questions  written  on  their  shirt-cuffs  or  in  their 


GEiV.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE.  ^ 

hats.  These  practices,  with  their  necessary  effect  on  char 
acter,  are  impossible  at  West  Point,  the  recitation  sections 
being  small,  the  recitations  being  frequent,  and  the  ques 
tioning  so  thorough  that  success  by  deceit  would  be  im 
possible. 

Then  again,  lying  is  an  offence  punishable  by  court- 
martial,  and  where  the.  possibility  of  concealing  a  lie  is  so 
small  and  the  result  of  discovery  so  disgraceful,  it  is  easy 
to  see  how  a  strong  habit  of  habitual  truthfulness  rinds 
place  among  young  men  who  are  not  otherwise  distin 
guished  for  morality.  Cadet  Burnside  and  his  comrades 
would  steal  out  of  bounds  to  enjoy  forbidden  festivities  at 
the  restaurant  kept  by  Benny  Havens,  yet  they  were  truth 
ful  to  a  fault. 

Benny  Havens'  restaurant  was  at  that  time  the  favorite 
resort  of  those  cadets  who  were  convivially  disposed.  It 
was  situated  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  near  'Buttermilk 
Falls,  which  made  it  an  easy  matter  for  the  host  to  pro 
cure  supplies  of  wine,  liquor,  and  tobacco  from  New  York 
by  the  passing  sloops,  and  he  could  always  get  up  a  plate 
of  hot  buckwheat  cakes,  with  a  steaming  mug  of  flip,  or 
a  more  substantial  supper.  A  feature  of  these  clandes 
tine  entertainments  was  the  singing  of  a  song,  the  original 
verses  of  which  were  composed  by  Lieutenant  O'Brien,  to 
the  tune  of  "  Wearing  of  the  Green,"  but  successive  classes 
added  new  stanzas  until  there  were  over  fifty,  and  to  these 
improvised  additions  are  often  made.  The  first  verse  of 
the  original  song  was  as  follows  : 

"Come,  fill  your  glasses,  fellows,  and  stand  up  in  a  row, 

To  singing  sentimentally,  \ve  're  going  for  to  go; 
In  the  armv  there's  sobrietv,  promotion  's  very  slow, 
So  we  '11  sing  our  reminiscences  of  Benny  Havens,  oh  ! 

Chorus.  — Oh  !  Benny  Havens,  oh  !  —oh  !  Benny  Havens,  oh  ! 

So  we  '11  sing  our  reminiscences  of  Bennv  Havens,  oh  ! 


^ 2  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

Cadet  Burnside  was  one  of  Benny  Havens'  most  con 
stant  visitors  and  best  patrons  after  "taps,"  on  Saturday 
nights,  and  there  are  traditions  that  on  very  convivial 
occasions  he  would  sing  a  ballad  entitled  "The  Little 
Black  Bull,"  with  great  effect. 

A  "  hash"  at  the  quarters  occupied  by  two  of  the  cadets 
was  a  favorite  winter  amusement.  After  "taps,"  when  the 
light  had  been  extinguished,  the  windows  of  the  room  in 
which  the  "hash"  was  to  be  enjoyed  were  carefully  dark 
ened,  and  the  cadets  invited  would  quietly  enter  in  their 
stocking  feet,  bringing  knives,  forks,  spoons,  and  plates, 
which  had  been  "  hived"  from  the  mess-table.  A  turkey  or 
a  pair  of  chickens  would  then  be  roasted,  and  potatoes 
baked  in  the  hot  ashes,  with  other  improvised  dishes. 
After  the  feast  had  been  cooked  and  eaten,  pipes  and  to 
bacco  would  be  produced,  and  the  cadets  would  enjoy  a 
good  smoke,  unless  surprised  by  the  officer-of-the-dav. 
On  his  entrance  the  lights  would  be  extinguished,  and  the 
cadets  would  hasten  to  their  rooms,  but  they  were  gener 
ally  detected.  Cadet  Burnside's  reputation  as  purveyor 
and  cook  of  a  "  hash"  was  unsurpassed,  and  he  acquired 
a  practical  knowledge  of  cooking  which  he  never  forgot. 

At  the  end  of  the  second  year  the  class  had  been  reduced 
from  fifty-three  to  forty-four  members.  Cadet  Burnside's 
standing  and  demerit  were  as  follows  :  Mathematics,  10  ; 
French,  28  ;  English  Grammar,  13  ;  Drawing,  20  ;  Gen 
eral  Merit,  13.  His  demerits  for  the  year  were  133. 

The    third    vear  Cadet  Burnside    received  a  furlough. 

*•  O 

On  his  return  to  duty  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
lieutenant  in  the  corps  of  cadets,  and  he  greatly  enjoyed 
camp-life  from  the  last  of  June  until  the  last  of  August. 
There  were  always  numbers  of  young  ladies  —  many  of 
them  relatives  of  cadets  —  at  the  hotel,  and  the  pleasant 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURXSIDE.  43 

walks  after  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  followed  by 
41  hops"  at  the  hotel  in  the  evening,  were  very  enjoyable. 
Occasionally  the  camp  would  be  enlivened  by  a  "stag 
dance,"  performed  by  twenty  or  more  cadets,  who  gyrated 
among  rows  of  candles  placed  on  the  ground,  cadencing 
their  movements  by  the  rattle  of  a  muffled  drum.  At  the 
close  of  the  third  year,  the  class  was  reduced  from  forty- 
four  to  forty  members,  and  Cadet  Burnside's  class  standing 
was:  Philosophy,  14;  Chemistry,  13;  Drawing,  18  ; 
General  Merit,  12.  His  demerits  for  the  year  were  64. 

The  fourth  year  of  Burnside's  stay  at  West  Point  was  an 
exciting  one.  The  war  with  Mexico  was  raging,  and  the 
bulletins  received  from  the  land  of  the  Montezumas  nat 
urally  produced  a  feeling  of  restlessness  among  the  cadets 
who  were  anxious  to  take  the  field.  In  the  cadet  corps, 
one  of  the  four  captains  having  been  reduced  to  the  ranks 
for  a  violation  of  the  rules,  Burnside  was  promoted  to  the 
vacancy  thus  created,  in  October,  1846.  The  following 
spring  he  was  reported  as  absent  from  the  post  without 
leave,  and  he  was  reduced  to  the  ranks  on  the  i5th  of 
April,  1847.  The  discipline  has  always  been  severe 
against  going  off  limits. 

The  final  examination  came  at  last,  commencing  on  the 
4th  of  June,  1847.  The  chairman  of  the  board  was  Hugh 
A.  Haraldson,  a  Georgia  lawyer,  afterwards  in  Congress, 
and  the  secretary  was  Henry  K.  Oliver,  of  Massachusetts,  a 
successful  school-teacher,  who  had  been  made  adjutant-gen 
eral  of  the  State.  Among  the  members  of  the  board  were 
Senator  Brown,  of  Mississippi,  Senator  Yulee,  of  Florida, 
and  the  ponderous  Dixon  II.  Lewis,  a  representative  from 
Alabama,  who  weighed  four  hundred  and  thirty  pounds. 
The  examination  of  the  cadets  was  at  times  carried  on  by 
the  professors,  and  at  times  taken  under  the  control  of  the 


44 


LIFE   AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


Board  of  Examiners.  In  some  instances  the  professors 
announced  the  question  and  the  board  selected  the  indi 
vidual  cadet  who  should  solve  it ;  and  in  some  instances 
a  question  proposed  to  one  cadet  was,  by  direction  of  the 
board,  given  to  another  for  solution.  Questions,  also,  of 
important  practical  bearing,  and  relating  to  subjects  not 
recently  reviewed,  were  freely  proposed,  and,  in  most 
instances,  readily  answered.  In  fact,  every  variety  of 
method  was  put  in  operation  to  test  the  fidelity  of  the 
teachers  and  the  ability  and  acquirements  of  the  pupils. 
The  examinations  continued  for  a  fortnight,  everv  fore- 
noou  being  given  to  literarv  work  in  the  Librarv  Hall, 

o     o  **  •/ 

and  everv  afternoon  to  military  drill  and  evolutions  on 
the  parade-ground.  In  the  Library  Hall  the  members  of 
the  Examining  Board  and  the  professors  sat  at  a  semi 
circular  table,  in  front  of  which  were  three  large  black 
boards  in  frames.  The  cadets  marched  in  to  the  tap  of  the 
drum,  in  squads  of  eight  or  ten,  one  being  sent  to  each 
blackboard  to  solve  a  question  proposed,  and  one  standing 
with  arms  folded,  to  answer  oral  questions.  "  These  were 
put  at  him  with  small  mercy  and  with  rigid  impartiality. 
Unless  promptly  answered  he  received  an  unfavorable 
mark.  Whenever  a  cadet  at  the  blackboard  had  com 
pleted  his  work  he  faced  about,  folded  his  arms,  and 
waited  till  called  upon  for  explanation  of  his  work.  The 
regular  business  of  the  other  cadets,  in  study  and  recitation, 
continued  as  though  no  examination  was  going  on." 

Cadet  Burnside  was  pronounced  by  the  examiners  the 
finest  looking  and  most  soldier-like  of  the  corps,  and  he  • 
was  found  equally  ready  when  demonstrating  mathemati 
cal  problems  on  the  blackboard,  or  executing  manoeuvres 
on  the  field.  One  day  he  was  questioned  on  the  prelim 
inary  steps  and  surveys  necessary  to  the  laying  out  of  a 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE.  *t 

line  of  railway  in  any  new  location,  and  the  requisite  cal 
culations  in  excavating,  rilling,  etc.  On  another  day  he 
was  examined  on  the  principle  which  controlled  the  rela 
tive  positions  in  line  of  the  several  companies  in  a  regi 
ment,  and  upon  the  evolutions  of  regiments  and  brigades. 

One  afternoon  the  cadets,  organized  as  a  battalion  of 
four  companies,  were  under  examination  in  military  move 
ments,  and  —  as  had  been  arranged  —  General  Oliver 
successively  called  several  cadet-privates  from  the  ranks, 
placed  them  in  command  of  the  battalion,  and  directed 
them  to  perform  several  evolutions.  Among  those  sin 
gled  out  was  Cadet  Burnside,  who  had  distinguished  him 
self  at  the  blackboard  in  the  forenoon,  and  who  without 
hesitation  took  command  of  the  battalion,  and  gave  the 
requisite  words  of  command  for  the  execution  of  six  evo 
lutions,  which  he  saw  were  promptly  executed. 

The  board,  in  its  report,  expressed  itself  satisfied  that 
the  several  branches  of  science  prescribed  in  the  academic 
course  had  been  faithfully  studied  and  skillfully  taught, 
and  that  the  academy  had  well  sustained  the  high  reputa 
tion  which  had  always  been  conceded  to  it. 

Cadet  Burnside's  standing  for  the  last  year  that  he  was 
at  West  Point  was  :  Engineering,  24  ;  Ethics,  26  ;  Artillery 
Duty,  18;  Infantry  Tactics,  8;  Mineralogy  and  Geology, 
29,  and  General  Merit,  18.  The  class  had  been  reduced  to 
thirty,  and  Burnside's  relative  standing  when  he  graduated 
\vas  eighteen.  At  last,  the  severe  questionings  were  ended, 
the  final  ordeal  was  passed,  the  graduating  diplomas  were 
handed  to  Burnside  and  his  comrades,  and  the  class  of '47 
hastened  to 

"  Doft"  the  cadet  and  don  the  brevet, 
And  change  the  gray  for  the  blue." 


CHAPTER   IV. 


ORDERED  TO  MEXICO  -  CROSSING  THE  ALLEGHANIES  —  RIVER  PI 
RATES  AND  GAMBLERS —ARRIVAL  AT  VERA  CRUZ  —  MARCH 
TO  Til E  HALLS  OK  THE  MONTEZUMAS  —  RETURN  TO  THE  UNI 
TED  STATES. 

THE  war  with  Mexico,  whatever  may  be  thought 
of  the  causes  which  provoked  it,  showed  that  the 
dimensions  of  the  moral  and  physical  power  of 
the  people  of  the  United  States  were  far  greater  than  had 
been  supposed.  For  upwards  of  thirty  years,  with  the  ex 
ception  of  difficulties  with  the  Indians,  the  Republic  had 
been  at  peace  with  all  mankind.  The  men  who  were  to 
carry  the  stars  and  stripes  into  the  land  of  the  Montezu- 
mas  were,  with  a  comparatively  few  exceptions,  unused  to 
the  privations  and  requirements  of  martial  life.  It  was 
said  of  Carnot,  the  great  French  war  minister,  that  in  his 
office  at  Paris,  his  mind  was  capable  of  accurately  survey 
ing  the  battle-plains  of  Europe,  and  "  organizing  victory"; 
that  to  his  genius  the  arms  of  France  owed  as  much  for 
their  success -as  they  did  to  the  general,  who  in  the  midst 
of  the  strife  held  aloft  the  eagles  of  the  republic  ;  and 
men  who  in  an  hundred  fields  had  cheerfully  encoun 
tered  the  bayonet  and  the  hail  of  battle,  knew  the  ascrip 
tion  to  be  just,  and  proudly  and  honestly  acknowledged 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE.  47 

its  truth.  What  Carnot  had  to  do  tor  France,  President 
Polk,  during  the  Mexican  war,  had  to  do  for  the  United 
States.  To  find  at  any  time  commanders  capable  and 
brave  is  not  difficult;  but  to  raise,  organize,  equip,  and 
provide  with  all  the  munitions  of  war,  an  invading  army, 
is  not  so  easy  of  accomplishment.  To  do  this  is  to  "  or 
ganize  victory,"  and  this  did  Mr.  Polk.  The  records  of 
the  country  show  that  in  an  incredibly  short  space  of  time 
nearly  one  hundred  thousand  soldiers  —  regulars  and  vol 
unteers —  were  placed,  with  all  the  means  of  attack  and 
defense,  on  the  territory  of  the  enemy  ;  and  that  this  large 
body,  under  the  lead  of  skillful  officers,  were,  in  fulfill 
ment  of  the  instructions  of  the  government,  converged 
from  different  points  on  the  Mexican  capital,  and  con 
quered  peAce. 

Young  Burnside  passed  the  last  few  months  of  his  cadet- 
ship  amid  the  excitement  of  battle  bulletins,  which  recorded 
the  persevering  marches,  the  impetuous  courage,  and  the 
resistless  daring  of  the  army  to  which  he  was  soon  to  be 
long.  With  the  long-coveted  commission,  dated  July  i, 
1847, — the  dream  of  his  boyhood  and  the  stimulus  of  his 
youth,  — came  an  order  to  proceed  to  the  city  of  Mexico, 
by  the  way  of  New  Orleans,  and  there  join  his  regiment, 
the  Second  Artillery. 

Joining  a  classmate  at  Baltimore,  the  two  embryo  officers 
started  across  the  mountains  to  descend  the  Ohio  and  Mis 
sissippi  rivers  to  New  Orleans.  But  a  short  distance  ot 
the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad  had  been  completed,  and 
the  Alleghanies  were  crossed  in  a -stage-coach.  The  back 
seat  of  the  vehicle  was  occupied  by  two  Sisters  of  Charity 
on  the  way  from  the  "  Maison  Merc"  at  Paris,  to  the  Con 
vent  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  at  St.  Louis,  and  on  the  front 
seat  were  three  western  jewelers  who  had  been  making 


48  GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

purchases  at  the  East.  The  two  young  officers  had  the 
middle  seat,  which  was  not  very  comfortable,  and  Burnside 
showed  his  familiarity  with  the  situation  by  causing  himself 
to  be  strapped  under  the  baggage-cover  on  top  of  the  coach, 
for  the  purpose  of  getting  a  good  nap  on  the  way.  The 
experiment  was  apparently  a  successful  one  until  drivers 
were  changed  at  the  ten-mile  relay,  when  he  .found  his 
somewhat  peculiarly  shaped  head  being  punched  for  a  sup 
posed  watermelon  by  the  new  driver.  At  the  next  station 
he  was  still  more  unfortunate,  as  the  succeeding  driver 
threw  a  bag  of  curry-combs  and  brushes  on  his  head,  which 
induced  him  to  beat  a  precipitate  retreat  to  the  inside  of  the 
coach,  satisfied  to  take  his  chance  for  naps  with  the  rest  of 
the  passengers. 

Reaching  Wheeling  on  the  evening  of  the  second  day, 
the  party  embarked  on  a  small  stern-wheel  steamboat,  which 
they  exchanged  for  a  more  commodious  side-wheel  steam 
boat  at  Pittsburgh.  The  change  was  a  grateful  one,  but 
a  formidable  source  of  annoyance  presented  itself  to  the 
travelers  in  the  shape  of  certain  suspicious  characters  who 
appeared  among  the  passengers.  The  western  rivers  at 
that  time  were  infested  by  piratical  gangs  of  the  very  worst 
description.  So  daring  anil  so  well  organized  had  they 
become,  that  the  officers  of  the  boats  regarded  them  with 
fear  that  almost  amounted  to  terror.  A  number  of  these 
officers  had  forfeited  their  lives  in  their  efforts  to  protect  the 
passengers  from  the  depredations  of  these  villains.  One 
of  the  most  notorious  leaders  of  these  robber  gangs  was  a 
certain  Burt  Mackey.  He  had  been  repeatedly  arrested 
and  several  times  tried  for  felony,  but  had  always  managed 
to  escape  punishment  —  probably  from  having  some  of  his 
confederates  on  the  jury.  It  was  discovered  shortly  after 
the  steamboat  started  that  no  less  a  personage  than  the 


^o  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

redoubtable  robber-chief  himself,  with  some  four  or  five 
confederates  was  on  board,  attracted  by  the  presence  of 
the  western  jewelers  with  their  recent  purchases.  It  had 
also  been  reported  that  the  worthy  Sisters  of  Charity  were 
the  custodians  of  a  large  sum  of  money  for  the  convent. 

A  general  feeling  of  consternation  took  place  among 
the  jewelers,  and  the  Sisters  of  Charity  were  in  great  dis 
tress.  Burnside  and  his  classmate  calmed  their  fears  by 
volunteering  to  mount  guard  over  their  state-room,  relieving 
"each  other  every  two  hours  during  the  night.  The  situa 
tion  was  an  extremely  novel  one,  and  very  strange  seemed 
all  the  surroundings  of  this  western  craft,  with  its  high- 
pressure  puffings,  the  cyclopean  operations  on  the  lower 
deck,  where  the  glare  of  the  burning  wood  in  the  huge  fur 
naces  lit  up  the  swarthy  faces  of  the  negro  crew,  and  cast 
long  shadows  through  the  forests  on  the  shore  ;  the  con 
stant  heaving  of  the  lead  and  cries  of  "  quarter  less  twain" 
from  the  man  with  the  line  ;  the  silence  and  loneliness  of 
the  upper  cabin,  broken  by  an  occasionally  opening  door 
and  the  protruding  head  of  a  nervous  passenger,  or  the 
stealthy  tread  of  two  or  more  of  the  confederates,  meeting 
to  consult  over  their  baffled  schemes. 

The  jewelers  and  the  river-pirates  left  the  steamboat  at 
Cincinnati,  Burnside  and  his  classmate  remaining  on  board 
to  go  to  Louisville.  On  the  way  there  a  passenger  made 
Burnside's  acquaintance  and  proposed  a  friendly  game  of 
euchre,  at  the  same  time  inviting  an  apparent  stranger  to 
take  a  hand.  The  three  sat  down,  and  soon  became  very 
much  interested  in  the  game  ;  small  stakes  were  proposed, 
and  Burnside,  being  generally  the  winner,  cheerfully  as 
sented  to  a  proposition  to  increase  the  stakes.  After  a 
while  Burnside  began  to  lose,  and  he  was  led  on  until  he 
had  lost  every  cent  of  his  money.  In  the  morning  he  had 


:;o  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

redoubtable  robber-chief  himself,  with  some  four  or  five 
confederates  was  on  board,  attracted  by  the  presence  of 
the  western  jewelers  with  their  recent  purchases.  It  had 
also  been  reported  that  the  worthy  Sisters  of  Charity  were 
the  custodians  of  a  large  sum  of  money  for  the  convent. 

A  general  feeling  of  consternation  took  place  among 
the  jewelers,  and  the  Sisters  of  Charity  were  in  great  dis 
tress.  Burnside  and  his  classmate  calmed  their  fears  by 
volunteering  to  mount  guard  over  their  state-room,  relieving 
each  other  every  two  hours  during  the  night.  The  situa 
tion  was  an  extremely  novel  one,  and  very  strange  seemed 
all  the  surroundings  of  this  western  craft,  with  its  high- 
pressure  puffings,  the  cyclopean  operations  on  the  lower 
deck,  where  the  glare  of  the  burning  wood  in  the  huge  fur 
naces  lit  up  the  swarthy  faces  of  the  negro  crew,  and  cast 
long  shadows  through  the  forests  on  the  shore  ;  the  con 
stant  heaving  of  the  lead  and  cries  of  "  quarter  less  twain" 
from  the  man  with  the  line  ;  the  silence  and  loneliness  of 
the  upper  cabin,  broken  by  an  occasionally  opening  door 
and  the  protruding  head  of  a  nervous  passenger,  or  the 
stealthy  tread  of  two  or  more  of  the  confederates,  meeting 
to  consult  over  their  baffled  schemes. 

The  jewelers  and  the  river-pirates  left  the  steamboat  at 
Cincinnati,  Burnside  and  his  classmate  remaining  on  board 
to  go  to  Louisville.  On  the  way  there  a  passenger  made 
Burnsicle's  acquaintance  and  proposed  a  friendly  game  of 
euchre,  at  the  same  time  inviting  an  apparent  stranger  to 
take  a  hand.  The  three  sat  down,  and  soon  became  very 
much  interested  in  the  game  ;  small  stakes  were  proposed, 
and  Burnside,  being  generally  the  winner,  cheerfully  as 
sented  to  a  proposition  to  increase  the  stakes.  After  a 
while  Burnside  began  to  lose,  and  he  was  led  on  until  he 
had  lost  every  cent  of  his  money.  In  the  morning  he  had 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE.  -1 

to  admit  that  he  was  "dead-broke,"  which  was  the  more 
unpleasant  as  his  classmate  had  thus  far  paid  all  the 
traveling  expenses,  and  had  about  exhausted  his  pocket- 
book.  What  to  do  for  the  remainder  of  the  journey  was 
the  question.  No  money  was  to  be  had  until  thev  reached 
New  Orleans,  where  the  quartermaster  would  refund  them 
their  traveling  expenses  in  the  way  of  mileage  ;  but  how  to 
get  there  was  the  problem,  as  neither  of  them  had  five 
dollars. 

While  discussing  the  situation  one  of  the  passengers 
approached,  and  excusing  himself  for  apparently  intruding 
upon  their  private  affairs,  he  frankly  stated  that,  having 
watched  the  game  the  night  before,  and  knowing  the  two 
individuals  with  whom  Burnside  was  playing  were  river 
sharpers,  he  had  been  much  pained  at  the  result,  and  finally 
suggested  that  if  they  were  in  any  way  embarrassed  by  it 
he  would  be  most  happy,  on  arriving  at  his  home  in  Louis 
ville,  to  furnish  them  with  the  requisite  funds  to  pursue 
their  journey.  On  landing  at  the  wharf  at  Louisville  he 
gave  them  his  card  and  invited  them  to  call  upon  him, 
when  he  would  let  them  have  what  money  they  wanted. 

They  accordingly  called  on  their  new-found  friend,  and 
after  seeking  him  without  success  in  the  fashionable  por 
tion  of  the  city,  they  were  directed  to  the  business  quarter, 
where,  in  a  somewhat  obscure  locality,  and  over  the  door 
of  a  small  variety  shop,  they  found  the  name  indicated  on 
the  card.  Entering  with  some  hesitation  at  the  possible 
chance  of  a  mistake,  they  were  a  little  surprised  at  meeting 
their  fellow-passenger,  who  was  expecting  them,  and  with 
a  rare  tact  and  delicacy  had  computed  their  possible  ex 
penses  and  placed  the  amount  in  two  envelopes. 

The  surroundings  of  this  unpretending  little  store  were 
sufficient  to  show  them  at  a  "-lance  that  the  sum  of  monev 


52 


LIFE   AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


he  handed  to  them  was  not  taken  from  a  very  large  accu 
mulation,  and  when  he  subsequently  invited  them  into  a 
small  room  at  the  rear,  which  was  his  home,  and,  introduc 
ing  them  to  his  wife,  who  was  as  unpretending  as  him 
self,  but  who  bore  a  look  of  unmistakable  refinement, 
begged  them  to  stay  and  take  tea  with  them,  they  could 
not  refuse.  An  interesting  little  boy  stood  by  the  side  of 
his  mother,  these  three  constituting  all  the  family.  After 
tea  the  wife  went  into  the  shop  and  selected  from  a  little 
glass  show-case  two  very  pretty  and  commodious  arrange 
ments  of  brown  morocco  for  thread,  needles,  buttons,  etc., 
which  she  begged  them  to  accept  and  take  with  them  to 
Mexico,  where  she  was  sure  they  would  often  be  found 
serviceable.  Each  little  compartment  was  amply  supplied 
with  whatever  it  was  intended  to  contain,  and  they  proved 
to  be;  most  serviceable  and  timely  gifts. 

Years  afterwards,  when  Burnside  was  in  command  of 
the  Department  of  North  Carolina,  he  received  a  letter 
from  a  lady  in  Louisville,  telling  him  that  her  only  son  had 
enlisted  in  a  loyal  regiment ;  that  he  was  in  delicate  health, 
but  nothing  could  stay  the  ardor  of  his  patriotism,  and, 
notwithstanding  the  fact  that  he  was  hardly  able  physically 
to  endure  the  privations  of  camp-life,  he  had  gone  to  the 
war  and  was  at  that  time  a  private  in  one  of  the  regiments 
in  North  Carolina.  The  mother  asked  that  Burnside 
would,  if  he  could  consistently  do  so,  place  him  in  a  posi 
tion  where  his  health  would  be  the  least  endangered. 
She  added  that  Burnside  might  possibly  remember  her,  as 
she  had  once  seen  him  in  Louisville,  but  mentioning  noth 
ing  bv  which  he  could  recall  the  name.  Thinking  over 
the  matter  and  recalling  carefully  the  incidents  of  his  visit 
to  Louisville,  it  occurred  to  him  that  this  might  be  the  wife 
of  his  generous  friend  in  the  little  variety  store,  and  the 


c;/s.v.  A  MI;  HUSK  E.  ni' 

young  man  in  question  the  little  boy  who  stood  at  his 
mother's  knee  at  the  tea-table  that  evening.  Meeting  his 
old  classmate,  he  mentioned  the  case,  and  it  proved  to  be 
the  same  lad.  Immediately  on  Burnside's  return  to  head 
quarters  he  promoted  this  young  soldier  to  a  lieutenancy. 

Barnskle  remained  at  Louisville  for  nearly  a  week, 
when  he  was  joined  by  other  classmates,  also  on  their  way 
to  the  seat  of  war,  and  they  descended  the  Mississippi 
River  in  a  steamer  to  New  Orleans.  At  the  Crescent 
City  thev  were  warmly  welcomed,  and  soon  embarked  on 
a  transport,  which  conveyed  them  to  Mexico. 

Far  out  at  sea  they  saw  the  snow-capped  peak  of  Ori 
zaba,  standing  as  a  sentinel  before  the  City  of  the  Monte- 
zumas,  and  the  next  morning  they  landed  at  Vera  Cruz, 
then  in  possession  of  the  United  States  troops.  The  young 
officers  learned  with  regret  that  the  war  was  virtually  at  an 
end,  and  that  the  Mexicans,  relieved  from  the  danger  of 
subjugation,  had  relapsed  into  their  usual  state  of  indiffer 
ence  and  indolence,  with  which  was  a  desire  to  wreak  ven 
geance  on  their  conquerors. 

Lieutenant  Burnside,  who  had  meanwhile  been  commis 
sioned  as  second  lieutenant  of  the  Third  Artillery,  was 
ordered  to  start  at  once  for  the  city  of  Mexico,  in  com 
mand  of  the  recruits  destined  for  his  regiment,  as  escort  to 
a  baggage  train.  Traversing  the  "  ticrras  callicntcs" 
where  tropical  fruits  and  flowers  were  to  be  seen  growing  in 
all  their  luxuriance,  they  came  to  the  "ticrras  lanpladcs" 
or  temperate  table-land  at  the  base  of  the  mountain.  The 
wearisome  march  was  greatly  enjoyed  by  the  officers  and 
men,  although  they  had  to  be  continually  on  the  alert,  as 
the  country  was  swarming  with  guerillas.  Onward  and 
Upward  led  the  road,  and  at  last,  at  the  foot  of  two  majes 
tic,  snow-clad  mountains,  was  the  city  of  Mexico,  with  its 


C-,  LIFE  AND  PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

turrets,  spires,  and  domes,  while  high  above  all  waved  in 
triumph  the  stars  and  stripes.  Climates  succeeded  to  each 
other  —  to  use  Humboldt's  expression — in  layers,  and  the 
detachment  passed  in  review,  between  Vera  Cruz  and  Mex 
ico,  the  whole  scale  of  vegetation,  from  the  cacti  of  the 
tropics  to  the  pines  of  the  Arctic  regions. 

Lieutenant  Burnside  was  warmly  welcomed  by  his 
brother  officers,  and  he  was  complimented  by  his  superiors 
for  the  ability  with  which  he  had  kept  the  men  and  the 
mules  of  his  train  from  straggling  and  being  carried  off. 
He  was  much  interested  with  the  novel  appearance  of  the 
captured  city.  Palaces,  churches,  and  monasteries  rose 
on  every  hand,  some  of  them  bearing  marks  of  the  recent 
cannonading.  Dark-eyed  senoritas  smiled  from  behind 
the  iron-work  of  balconies,  and  young  men,  gorgeously 
arrayed  in  Andalusian  attire,  moved  about  on  small,  am 
bling  horses,  richly  caparisoned.  Itinerant  jugglers  per 
formed  the  same  tricks  that  were  witnessed  by  Pizarro  ; 
but  a  band  of  negro  minstrels  had  crowded  out  the  Span 
ish  operatic  company,  and  an  American  theatrical  com 
pany  nightly  reveled  in  the  halls  of  the  "  Gran  Tcatro 
National." 

The  "  Cafe  dc  Indcpcndcncia"  had  been  rechristened 
the  "Old  Kentuck  House/'  Other  hotels  in  a  like  man 
ner  had  changed  their  cognomens,  and  there  were  the 
"Eagle  House,"  the  "  Lone  Star  House,''  the  "  St.  Louis." 
the  "  Alhambra,"  the  "  Verandah,"  the  "  Merchants,"  the 
"St.  Charles,"  the  "New  York  Restaurant,"  the  "Amer 
ican  Eating  Establishment,"  the  "  Shakespeare  Dining 
Saloon,"  the  "  Indian  Queen."  etc.,  etc.,  where  everything 
to  eat  and  to  drink,  from  "pigs'  feet  and  buttermilk"  to  the 
very  best  "  bald-face  and  Jamaica,"  were  sold. 

The    Diaro    Gobicnw    newspaper    had    given    place   to 


-,- 

the  American    Star,  the   first  number  of  which   had  been 
printed  at  Matamoras  when  the  United  States  troops  landed 
there,  while  others  had  been  successively  published  at  the 
various  stopping-places  of 
the    advancing    column. 
The  North  American  was 
issued  from  where  a  Mex 
ican  journal  formerly  ema 
nated  ;    and  the    Yankee 
Doodle,  full  of  mirth  and 
humor,  poked   his  comical 
face  from  behind  a  confer, 
weekly. 

Divine  services  were  held 
every  Sunday  at  the  Grand 
Palace,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
McCarty,  chaplain  to  the 

army,  who,  in  a  highly  commendable  manner,  had  been 
assiduous  in  his  attention  to  the  sick,  wounded,  and  dving, 
both  upon  the  field  and  in  the  hospital.  While  one  of  the 
commands  was  passing  to  a  position  in  order  to  turn  the 
enemy's  works  at  Cherubusco,  they  encountered  a  murder 
ous  tire,  which  swept  off  nearly  one-third  of  the  command, 
and  was  calculated  to  produce  momentary  confusion  even 
among  the  veteran  troops.  The  reverend  gentleman  was 
among  those  left  standing,  and  turning  to  them  with  a  calm 
and  placid  countenance,  raising  his  hat  from  his  head,  he 
called  out:  ''Never  fear,  my  brave  fellows!  the  Lord  is 
on  our  side  ;  do  your  duty,  and  \ve  are  certain  of  victory." 
As  the  troops  proceeded  on  they  encountered  an  almost 
impassable  ditch,  where  they  suffered  severely  from  the 
guns  of  the  foe  before  thev  could  reach  the  point  of  assault, 
when. he  was  again  foremost  in  the  van,  remarking  :  "  My 


GEN.   WINFIELD   SCOTT. 


^6  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

friends,  war  is  a  very  bad  trade,  but  this  is  not  the  time  to 
discuss  it ;  just  hand  me  your  guns,  and  I  will  hold  them 
until  you  hurry  over  the  ditch."  His  language  and  action 
produced  a  most  happy  effect  upon  the  men,  and  as  they 
were  led  on  by  their  gallant  officers  they  raised  a  shout, 
charged  the  enemy  in  line  spirits  and  confidence,  and  most 
signally  routed  and  defeated  them.  As  soon  as  the  contest 
between  the  two  armies  was  decided,  the  reverend  gentle 
man  was  to  be  found  among  the  wounded  and  the  dying, 
endeavoring  to  alleviate  the  sufferings  of  the  former,  and 
administering  the  last  of  all  earthly  consolations  to  the 
latter. 

The  United  States  Army  in  Mexico  presented  but  little 
of  the  pride  and  pomp  of  war,  but  all  of  its  stern  realities. 
The  bloody  battles  in  the  neighborhood  had  made  sad 
havoc  among  the  officers  of  the  old  regiments  of  regulars, 
which  jiave  the  voung  graduates  from  West  Point  a  great 

£>  */  O      C?  O 

deal  to  do.  Living  under  military  regulations,  and  breath 
ing  a  military  atmosphere,  the  young  gentlemen  became 
habituated  to  obedience  and  accustomed  to  the  restraints  of 
discipline. 

Lieutenant  Burnside  is  remembered  by  his  comrades  as 
a  tall,  lithe,  well-made  young  man,  whose  features  were 
expressive  of  indomitable  good  spirits  and  keen  huir.or. 
He  was  remarkable  for  his  good  temper,  his  obliging  dis 
position,  and  his  aversion  to  continued  duty.  In  conver 
sation  with  his  superior  officers  his  manner  was  slightly 
deferential,  while  with  the  younger  officers  he  was  cordial 
and  courteous,  his  manner  combining  dignity  and  elegance 
with  singular  ease  and  simplicity. 

The  society  in  Mexico  was  to  the  young  lieutenant  an 
enigma.  The  degenerate  descendants  of  the  Cortez  and 
the  Pizarros  lacked  the  chivalrous  arrogance  of  the  Cas- 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE.  ^ 

tilian,  or  the  bland  gaiety  of  the  French.  Gambling  and 
smoking  occupied  their  time,  while  the  ladies,  reared  in 
deplorable  ignorance,  lacked  the  languid  grace  and  subtle 
sparkliness  so  peculiar  to  the  Andalusian  race.  Many  of 
the  officers  visited  the  gambling-houses,  and  Lieutenant 
Burnside  was  one  of  those  who  became  fascinated  in 
"  fighting  the  tiger,"  without  sufficient  self-denial  to  stop 
until  he  had  been  regularly  plucked.  At  last  he  found 
himself  stopped  of  all  his  available  means,  and  his  pav 
for  six  months  in  advance  was  mortgaged.  His  first  im 
pulse  was  to  resign,  but  a  senior  officer  who  had  been 
regarded  as  somewhat  parsimonious  insisted  upon  Burn- 
side  receiving  from  him  a  loan  sufficiently  large  to  extin 
guish  his  indebtedness. 

o 

•'Ji'anyana"  was  the  favorite  expression  of  the  Mexicans, 
and  it  was  practically  applied  to  everything,  from  the  sim 
plest  transactions  of  life  up  to  matters  of  the  utmost  moment. 
It  may  be  translated  :  "  Do  nothing  to-day  which  by  any 
possible  means  you  can  put  off  until  to-morrow."  With 
the  Americans  it  was  different.  Guard-mounting,  drills, 
reviews,  and  parades  were  ordered  and  punctually  execu 
ted.  Unfortunate  differences  of  opinion  between  General 
Scott  and  his  subordinate  generals  created  a  bad  feeling, 
which  extended  throughout  the  army,  and  there  was  a 
general  feeling  of  relief  when  the  troops  began  to  leave 
for  Vera  Cruz,  there  to  embark  for  the  United  States. 
Braggs  battery,  of  the  Third  Artillery,  to  which  Lieutenant 
Burnside  was  attached,  was  ordered  to  Fort  Adams,  at 
Newport,  R.  I. 


CHAPTER  V. 


AT  TORT  ADAMS,  NEWPORT  —  GARRISON  LIFE  — ORDERED  TO  THE 
FROXTIER  —  PLACED  IX  COMMAXD  OF  A  DETACHMENT  OF 
MOUXTED  MEX  — HIS  FIRST  REPORT  —  VICTORIOUS  ENGAGE- 
MF.XT  \VITII  THE  INDIANS  —  WOUNDED  —  JOINS  HIS  REGIMENT 
AT  JEFFERSON  BARRACKS. 

FORT  ADAMS,  near  Newport,  where  Lieutenant 
Burnside  was  stationed  on  his  return  from  Mexico, 
is  a  most  delightful  stronghold,  built  in  accordance 
with  the  science  of  engineering,  before  earth-works  were 
substituted  for  massive  granite  walls.  The  view  from  the 
ramparts  of  the  fort  is  varied  and  picturesque.  On  one 
hand  is  Narragansett  Bay,  with  its  islands,  its  watering- 
places,  its  steamers,  its  iishing-boats,  and  in  the  distance 
the  broad  sweep  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  its  dark  waves 
crested  with  foam  and  flecked  with  white  sails.  On  the 
other  hand  is  the  long  hillside  town  of  Newport,  with  its 
spires  and  public  edifices,  its  long  wharf,  and  the  range  of 
villas  on  its  heights.  Between  the  fort  and  the  city,  in  the 
foreground,  is  the  harbor,  often  the  anchorage  of  foreign 
or  home  squadrons  of  war-vessels,  and  of  gay  yachts. 
And  in  the  background  are  miniature  precipitous  ranges 
of  granite,  veined  with  small  terraces  of  green  grass,  some 
of  which  are  watered  by  springs. 


GEX.    AMBROSE   E.    HUltXSlDE.  ^Q 

The  battery  of  light  artillery  stationed  at  Fort  Adams 
when  Lieutenant  Burnside  was  one  of  the  garrison,  was  a 
corps  d'tlitc,  showily  uniformed,  perfectly  equipped,  and 
kept  thoroughly  drilled.  Nearly  all  of  the  officers  and 
enlisted  men  had  seen  service  in  the  recent  war  with  Mex 
ico,  and  had  the  weather-bronzed,  robust  air  of  veterans. 
Their  soldier-like  appearance,  their  great  exactitude  of 
drill,  the  freedom  and  celerity  of  their  movements,  all 
showed  their  familiarity  with  the  essentials  as  well  as  the 
glitter  of  war.  Lieutenant  Burnside,  who  was  a  bold  horse 
man,  was  conspicuous  by  his  gallant  appearance  and  his 
familiarity  with  the  intricate  evolutions,  and  he  soon  be 
came  a  welcome  guest  in  the  adjacent  town. 

Newport  was  at  that  time  beginning  to  be  a  fashionable 
watering-place,  where  celebrities  and  beauties  from  differ 
ent  sections  of  the  country  came  to  enjoy  the  summer 
season,  even  as  the  "•  Greeks  of  old  went  in  peace  to  their 
Olympia."  The  familiar  faces  of  congressmen,  diplomats, 
jurists,  and  fashionables,  with  merchants  of  great  wealth, 
were  to  be  seen  congregated  there  every  summer,  many 
remaining  until  late  in  the  autumn.  They  enjoved  the 

O  .'      ~ 

foggy,  bracing  air,  loitered  at  the  Redwood  Library, 
visited  historic  localities,  sailed  on  the  bay,  feasted  at 
"  clam-bakes,"  and  worshiped  on  Sundays  in  Old  Trinity, 
where  Bishop  Berkeley  preached  in  1730.  Once  a  week 
came  "  fort-day,"  when  the  owners  of  equipages  rode  out 
from  the  town  in  stately  array,  followed  by  equestrians  and 
pedestrians.  The  commander  of  the  post,  with  his  sub 
ordinate  officers,  all  in  full  uniform,  would  receive  them 
with  military  courtesy,  a  line  band  playing  meanwhile. 
Occasionally  the  light  battery  would  visit  Newport,  and 
perform  its  wonderful  evolutions  on  Bellevue  Avenue, 
horses  and  men  moving  in  unison,  in  obedience  to  the 
notes  of  the  bugle. 


60  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

The  young  officers  stationed  at  the  fort  found  the  so 
ciety  delightful.  Boating  parties  on  the  bay,  drives  upon 
the  beach,  walks  upon  the  rocky  crags  which  border  the 
ocean,  dinners  given  by  the  wealthy  sojourners,  with  music 
and  dances  at  night.,  were  all  wonderfully  attractive.  Dur 
ing  the  Revolutionary  War,  the  beauty  of  the  young 
women  of  Newport,  and  the  culture  and  wit  of  the  citizens 
had  entranced  the  hearts  of  the  French  officers  stationed 
there,  and  Lieutenant  Burnside  was  equally  charmed  with 
their  successors.  Occasionally  he  would  visit  Providence, 
to  enjoy  its  hospitalities,  and  he  thus  laid  the  foundations 
of  friendships  which  years  afterwards  resulted  in  his  be 
coming  a  citizen  of  Rhode  Island. 

But  garrison  life,  even  with  these  surrounding  social 
attractions,  soon  dragged  wearily  along.  There  were  no 
threatening  enemies  compelling  vigilance,  and  no  active 
necessities  to  stimulate  enterprise.  He  was  well  pleased 
when  orders,  dated  December  10,  1849,  directed  him  to 
proceed  to  New  Mexico  with  "  Bragg's  Battery,"  one  of 
the  most  efficient  in  the  service. 

On  his  arrival  in  New  Mexico  he  found  that  it  had  been 
deemed  impracticable  to  use  the  battery  as  light  artillerv, 
and  he  was  placed  in  command  of  a  detachment  of  it 
equipped  and  mounted  as  cavalry.  At  the  head  of  this 
detachment,  he  performed  escort  duty,  protected  the  mail- 
riders,  went  on  scouting-parties,  and  rendered  other  effi 
cient  services,  obeying  the  orders  given  him  with  equal 
ability  and  cheerfulness. 

Soon  after  Lieutenant  Burnside  had  organized  his  de 
tachment  for  service,  a  band  of  Apaches  and  Eutaws 
appeared  in  the  vicinity  of  Las  Vegas,  and  commenced 
petty  hostilities.  After  having  committed  several  depreda 
tions,  they  surprised  a  mail-party.  The  two  mail-carriers, 
with  several  persons  who  had  accompanied  them,  were 


<V/i/V.    AMHKOSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 


6l 


killed,  and  only  one  Mexican  attendant  escaped  to  tell 
the  tale.  Lieutenant  Burnside,  with  his  detachment  of 
mounted  men,  was  at  once  sent  by  Captain  Judcl,  who  was 


KOKT    ADAMS,    NEWl'OKT,     K.    I. 

in  command  at  Las  Vegas,  to  the  scene  of  the  murder, 
with  instructions  to  bury  the  dead,  and  to  collect  what 
could  be  found  of  the  mails.  On  his  return  from  this  duty 
he  made  the  following  report — -clear,  full  of  information, 
and  yet  modest,  which  was  the  first  of  the  long  series  of 
reports  from  his  pen  which  have  since  graced  the  military 
annals  of  the  country  : 

LAS  VKOAS,   NEW  MEXICO,   May  .23.  1850. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  for  the  information  of  the  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  commanding,  that  in  ohedience  to  Post  Order  No.  n.  dated 
Headquarters,  Las  Vegas,  N.  M.,  May  21,  1850,  I  proceeded  with  my 
detachment  in  the  direction  of  the  Wagon  Mound,  for  the  purpose  of  in 
terring  the  bodies  of  the  mail  carriers  and  others  who  were  murdered 
near  that  place,  as  well  as  to  collect  such  parts  of  the  mail  as  were  not 
destroyed  or  had  not  already  been  brought  in.  I  arrived  at  the  scene  of 


62  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

murder  on  the  day  after  I  left  this  place,  and  found  the  remains  of  ten 
persons.  I  at  once  put  the  Mexicans  taken  for  the  purpose  to  digging  a 
grave  for  the  bodies,  and  immediately  commenced  a  careful  examination 
of  all  the  ground  in  the  vicinity,  assisted  by  Lieutenant  Plympton, 
attached  to  this  command,  and  Mr.  Barcby,  of  Barclay's  Fort.  The 
wagon  which  Clay  and  Hendrickson  (mail  carriers)  took  from  this  place 
last  March  was  found  about  a  half  mile  from  the  foot  of  the  Wagon 
Mound,  with  the  tongue  broken,  and  a  dead  mule,  still  in  harness,  attached 
to  it.  Two  of  the  bodies,  in  a  complete  state  of  purification,  were  found 
in  the  wagon  ;  the  remaining  eight,  very  much  eaten  by  the  wolves,  in  its 
immediate  vicinity,  the  farthest  one  probably  seventy-five  yards  off;  one 
horse  and  two  mules  were  killed  near  the  wagon,  and  two  American 
horses  near  the  foot  of  the  Mound.  The  ground,  from  these  two  horses 
to  the  wagon,  was  strewn  with  arrows.  On  the  road  which  passes  by  the 
foot  of  the  Mound,  and  about  a  mile  from  the  wagon,  we  found  where  the 
party  had  encamped  before  they  were  attacked  ;  the  track  of  the  wagon 
could  not  be  discerned.  The  trail  of  the  marauding  party  was  indistinct. 
We  examined  the  canon  formed  by  the  rising  ground  near  the  mound, 
and  in  fact  all  the  ground  in  the  neighborhood,  and  secured  all  the  mail 
that  could  he  found,  which  consisted  principally  of"  blank  forms  "  and  a 
few  private  papers. 

From  these  facts  I  am  led  to  the  following  conclusion  :  That  the  mail 
party,  with  five  or  six  other  persons  who  had  joined  it,  arrived  at  the 
Wagon  Mound  either  before  the  snow  fell,  on  the  third  of  this  month,  or 
whilst  the  snow  was  still  on  the  ground,  for  no  tracks  of  any  description 
could  be  seen;  that  the  wagon  with  eight  of  the  party  started  from 
camp,  two  of  the  party,  not  of  the  mail  carriers,  mounted  on  American 
horses,  remained  at  the  fire  for  a  short  time,  afterwards  starting,  were 
charged  upon  by  the  Indians,  who  were  laying  behind  the  small  mound 
at  the  foot  of  the  Wagon  Mound,  their  horses  killed,  and  themselves 
wounded;  they  ran  to  the  wagon,  and  were  assisted  in  getting  in  by  the 
main  party;  while  in  the  act  of  doing  this,  the  party  were  charged  upon 
by  the  Indians,  thrown  in  a  state  of  confusion,  and  finally  all  killed 
within  seventy-five  yards  of  the  wagon,  on  either  side  of  the  road.  This 
opinion  is  sustained  by  the  fact  of  the  two  men  who  were  in  the  wagon 
being  wounded  each  in  the  left  thigh,  the  most  common  wound  a  man 
receives  on  horseback,  and  one  that  could  not  have  been  inflicted  whilst 
they  were  in  the  wagon.  No  signs  were  discovered  of  any  Indian  being 
killed.  The  attacking  party  were  evidently  in  great  numbers,  from  the 
large  number  of  arrows  found  on  the  ground,  but  the  best  evidence  of  it 
is  the  small  space  within  which  the  whole  party  were  killed.  So  large  a 
party  of  Americans  have  never  before  been  entirely  destroyed  by  the 
Indians  of  that  portion  of  the  territory,  and.  in  fact,  ten  Americans  have 


(iE.V.    AMBJtOSE   E.    h'('A'.YS//)E.  £-> 

heretofore  been  considered  comparatively  safe  in  traveling  over  the  road 
with  proper  care.  Mr.  Barclay,  who  had  been  a  great  deal  among  the 
Eii taw  Indians,  and  in  fact  traded  with  them  for  some  time,  recognized 
certain  arrows  among  those  left  on  the  ground.  One  of  the  Mexicans 
that  I  carried  with  me  had  been  for  many  years  a  prisoner  among  the 
Indians,  and  recognized  both  Apache  and  Eutaw  arrows,  which  confirmed 
me  in  the  opinion  that  it  was  a  combined  movement  of  the  two  tribes. 
The  partv  consisted  certainly  of  not  less  than  one  hundred  warriors. 
All  these  are  mere  matters  of  opinion,  and  may  appear  to  show  conceit 
and  arrogance  in  so  inexperienced  a  person  as  myself,  but  I  have  taken 
particular  pains  to  weigh  all  the  circumstances,  and  have  formed  my 
opinion  not  only  from  my  own  observation,  but  from  that  of  Lieutenant 
Plympton  and  Mr.  Barclay.  The  latter  has  been  in  the  country  for  many 
years,  and  knows  the  Indian  habits  almost  perfectly.  No  possible  clue 
to  the  direction  of  the  Indian  trail  could  be  found,  and,  in  fact,  the  mur 
der  was  committed  so  long  before  it  was  known  (at  least  fifteen  days) 
that  all  pursuit  would  have  been  unavailing,  could  we  have  found  the 
trail.  No  fresh  signs  of  Indians  were  seen,  but  it  was  reported  that  a 
party  had  been  seen  by  a  hunter  near  Barclay's  Fort,  but  not  being  able 
to  learn  anything  positive  on  the  subject,  I  cannot  say  that  the  report  is 
correct. 

It  is  probable  that  Clay  and  Hendrickson,  who  went  out  in  March,  were 
the  carriers.  Benjamin  Shaw  and  Mr.  Goldstien  are  probably  two  others 
of  the  party,  as  many  private  papers  belonging  to  them  were  found  on 
the  ground.  Mr.  Barclay  is  of  the  opinion  that  Mr.  Brown,  who  owned 
the  train  that  wintered  near  the  Arkansas,  was  another.  lie  judges  from 
the  appearance  of  the  hair  on  the  head,  as  well  as  the  shape  of  the  head. 
I  have  heard  other  persons  spoken  of  as  probably  belonging  to  the  party, 
but  seeing  no  evidence,  don't  think  it  best  to  mention  their  names,  as  it 
may  cause  unnecessary  alarm  among  their  friends.  Two  of  the  partv 
only  were  scalped,  but  all  of  them  stripped.  The  principal  part  of  the 
letter  mail,  I  think,  has  been  brought  in.  The  Indians  evidently  thought 
the  large  rolls  of  blanks  to  be  the  most  important,  and  consequently  tore 
them  open.  I  .have  brought  in  all  that  was  worth  picking  up. 

The  bodies  were  buried  in  a  common  grave,  and  the  wagon  with  all 
the  rubbish  was  burned  over  it,  to  prevent,  it  possible,  the  bodies  being 
dug  up  by  the  wolves. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir,  very  respectfully, 
Your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed),         A.    E.    BURXSIDE, 
Lieutenant  Third  Artillery,  Commanding  Detachment . 

'  To  LIEUT.  J.   N.    WARD, 

Post   Adjutant. 


64  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

On  the  1 6th  of  August  a  party  of  about  sixty  Apaches 
visited  Las  Vegas  and  solicited  powder  and  ball  in  ex 
change  for  furs.  Captain  Judd,  who  was  in  command, 
held  a  "talk"  with  them,  and  became  convinced  that  their 
intentions  were  anything  but  pacific.  Several  of  them 
were  recognized  as  having  been  among  the  Indians  who 
had  falsely  treated  for  peace  at  Taos,  and  had  afterwards 
been  engaged  in  numerous  murders  and  robberies  along 
the  frontier.  Captain  Judd  refused  to  grant  their  request 
for  ammunition,  and  after  their  departure  to  their  camp, 
about  half  a  mile  from  the  town,  he  ordered  Lieutenant 
Burnside  to  follow  them  there,  and  arrest  the  chiefs. 

Lieutenant  Burnside,  at  the  head  of  twenty-nine  men, 
came  up  with  the  Indians  before  they  had  reached  their 
camp,  and  advancing  within  short  range  of  their  arrows, 
halted  his  detachment,  in  the  hope  that  the  Indians  would 
surrender.  Instead  of  so  doing,  they  delivered  a  flight 
of  missiles  from  their  bows  and  rifles,  and  then  fled  at  a 
hand-gallop  over  the  rough  hills  and  ravines.  A  charge, 
with  his  command  deployed  as  skirmishers,  was  at  once 
ordered  by  Lieutenant  Burnside,  who  gallantly  led  his  men 
against  the  flying  but  resisting  foe.  A  hand-to-hand  con 
flict  ensued,  in  which  the  sabre  was  the  only  weapon  used 
by  the  troops,  who  followed  their  foes  more  than  nine 
miles,  capturing  three  prisoners,  and  killing,  it  was  be 
lieved,  at  least  twenty  warriors.  Lieutenant  Burnside  was 
wounded  by  an  arrow  just  below  the  ear,  and  several  of 
his  command  also  received  arrow  wounds.  He  was 
warmly  commended  by  Captain  Judd  for  his  braverv,  and 
Colonel  Washington,  who  then  commanded  the  military 
department  of  New  Mexico,  in  transmitting  a  report  of 
the  affair  to  Major-General  Jones,  then  adjutant-general 
of  the  army,  said  :  "  The  troops  serving  in  New  Mexico 


(i  EN.    A  MX  HOSE  E.    KURXSIDE.  6=J 

are  entitled  to  much  consideration  for  the  prompt  and 
cheerful  manner  in  which  they  have  performed  their  ardu 
ous  duties,  as  well  as  for  their  conduct  in  chastising  the 
hostile  bands  which  infest  it,  on  every  occasion  which  has 
been  presented." 

Before  the  gallant  conduct  of  Lieutenant  Burnside  was 
known  at  Washington,  it  had  been  determined  to  send  a 
cavalry  force  to  New  Mexico,  and  orders  had  accordingly 
been  forwarded,  relieving  him  from  further  duty,  and  as 
signing  the  men  comprising  his  detachment  to  companies 
serving  in  their  vicinity.  This  was  accordingly  done,  and 

O  .  o    .,• 

Lieutenant  Burnside,  having  settled  his  accounts  and 
turned  over  his  arms  and  horse  equipments  to  the  Ord 
nance  and  Quartermaster's  departments,  left  for  Jefferson 
Barracks,  Missouri,  where  he  joined  his  regiment. 

Resuming  the  routine  duties  and  drills  of  garrison  life, 
Lieutenant  Burnside  found  relaxation  in  the  neighboring 

O  O 

city  of  St.  Louis,  with  its  old  French  families,  its  wealthy 
merchants,  and  its  numerous  visitors  from  Kentucky. 
Fond  of  ladies'  society,  the  young  officer  was  soon  a  fa 
vorite  escort  among  the  Missouri  and  Kentuckv  belles, 
and  one  night  he  went  with  a  bevy  of  them  to  a  public 
ball.  On  arriving  at  the  hotel  where  the  ball  was  given, 
Lieutenant  Burnside  learned  that  some  disreputable  persons 
had  obtained  admission  to  the  floor,  and  proposed  to  the 
ladies  of  his  party  that  they  should  content  themselves 
with  a  view  of  the  gay  scene  from  the  gallery  of  the  ball 
room.  This  they  did,  to  the  annovance  of  some  of  the 
young  residents,  who  had  hoped  to  enjoy  dancing  with 
the  ladies,  and  a  newspaper  published  the  next  day  made 
some  sneering  remarks  about  the  military  snob  who  thought 
that  the  society  of  St.  Louis  was  not  sufficiently  refined 
for  his  lady  frjends  to  mix  with. 


66 


GEX.    AMHJtOSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 


Lieutenant  Burnside  was  much  incensed  when  he  read 
this,  and  believing  with  Dr.  Johnson  that  "  a  free  press 
should  always  be  accompanied  by  a  free  cudgel,"  -he  de 
termined  to  chastise  the  writer.  Having  first  obtained  a 
fortnight's  leave  of  absence,  he  went  to  the  office  of  the 
newspaper,  where  he  found  the  writer  of  the  article  and 
cowhided  him  well.  He  then  left  secretly  for  Indiana, 
and  the  constables  sought  him  at  the  barracks  in  vain 
when  they  went  to  arrest  him  for  assault  and  battery. 
Some  of  the  leading  citizens  interfered,  the  complaint  was 
withdrawn,  and  the  pugnacious  lieutenant  returned  to  his 
duty. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


ORDERED  TO  JOIN'  THK  HOUNDAKV  COMMISSION  —  I.IKE  ON  THE 
FRONTIER  —  DIFFERENCES  HETWEEN  THE  CIVIL  AND  MILI- 
TARV  HEADS  OF  THE  PAR.TV  — RIVAL  EXPRESSES  SENT  WITH 
DISPATCHES  TO  WASHINGTON*  —  INVENTION  OK  A  KREKCH- 
LOADING  MUSKET— PROMOTION —VISIT  TO  INDIANA  — A  LOVE 
EPISODE. 

^~  ¥  "^HE  treaty  of  Guadaloupe  Hidalgo  having  pro 
vided  for  a  joint  commission  for  running  and 

JL.  marking  the  boundary  between  the  United  States 
and  Mexico,  Hon.  John  B.  Weller  was  appointed  on  the 
part  of  the  United  States,  and  Gen.  P.  D.  Conde  on  the 
part  of  Mexico.  On  the  accession  of  General  Taylor  to 
the  presidential  chair  Mr.  Weller  was  removed,  and  Gen 
eral  Fremont  was  appointed  as  his  successor.  Before  he 
had  rendered  any  service,  however,  General  Fremont  was 
elected  a  United  States  Senator  from  California,  and  then 
the  Hon.  John  Russell  Bartlett,  of  Rhode  Island,  was  ap 
pointed  commissioner  on  the  part  of  the  United  States. 
Mr.  Bartlett  met  the  Mexican  commissioner,  General 
Conde,  at  El  Paso  on  the  ist  of  December,  1851,  and 
they  commenced  the  important  work  entrusted  to  them. 

The  following  May  the  commission  established  its  head 
quarters  at  Santa  Rita  del  Cobre,  where  copper-mines  had 


68  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

been  profitably  worked  until  the  Apaches  drove  the  Mexi 
cans  away.  There  having  been  some  misunderstanding 
between  the  officers  of  the  army  detailed  for  service  on  the 
commission  and  the  citizen  commissary,  the  Secretary  of 
the  Interior  had  requested  the  Secretary  of  War  to  detail 
an  officer  of  the  army  as  quartermaster  and  commissary. 

Lieutenant  Burnside  was  accordingly  detailed  for  this 
duty,  and  ordered  to  report  to  Colonel  Graham,  of  the 
corps  of  engineers,  the  principal  astronomer  of  the  com 
mission,  at  San  Antonio,  Texas.  This  old  Spanish  town, 
hallowed  by  the  gallant  defense  of  its  mission-church  by 
Crockett,  Bowie,  and  others  in  the  struggle  for  Texan  inde 
pendence,  was  the  central  point  for  freight-trains,  drawn 
bv  mules  and  oxen,  which  transported  the  commerce  of 
that  portion  of  the  continent.  A  large  portion  of  the  in 
habitants  at  that  time  were  Mexicans,  the  women  having 
their  heads  enveloped  in  "rebosas,"or  mantles,  and  plying 
their  fans  with  inimitable  grace.  The  men,  wearing  broad- 
brimmed  "  sombreros,"  jackets  thickly  studded  with  silver 
buttons,  and  trowsers  open  at  the  outside  from  the  hip 
down,  displaying  ample  drawers  of  white  linen,  were  much 
given  to  drinking  and  gambling. 

The  Mexicans  distilled  a  potent  spirituous  liquor,  which 
they  called  aguardiente,  from  the  bulbous  root  of  the  agave 
uicxicdna,  by  a  process  which  reminded  Lieutenant  Burn- 
side  of  the  Rhode  Island  clam-bakes — using  wet  grass  in 
stead  of  sea-weed  to  cover  the  bulbs  while  being  roasted 
on  heated  stones.  The  laborers  were  .-peons,  of  Indian 
and  Mexican  descent,  and  were  generally  held  in  servitude 
for  the  payment  of  debts  which  they  had  been  encouraged 
to  contract  early  in  life.  When  such  debtors  grew  old  and 
unfit  for  labor,  they  were  released  with  much  ceremony 
from  their  pecuniary  obligation,  and  thenceforth  became 
beggars. 


GE\.    .l.l/AYi'^.SVi    E.    HURXSIDE.  60 

Lieutenant  Burnside  reported  to  Colonel  Graham  at  San 
Antonio,  and  they  traveled  together  to  El  Paso  del  Norte, 
a  fatiguing  journey  of  thirty  days,  through  the  picturesque 
Guadaloupe  Pass.  There  were  rumors  of  large  parties  of 
hostile  Indians  on  the  way,  but  none  were  seen,  although 
on  several  occasions  the  fire-telegraphs  of  the  Apaches 
were  seen  in  different  directions,  resembling  puffs  of  smoke 
suddenly  rising  from  the  ground.  This  is  produced  by 
digging  a  small  hole  in  the  ground,  making  a  fire  in  it, 
and  then  smothering  the  blaze  with  leaves.  On  suddenly 
opening  the  hole,  the  smoke  escapes  in  a  dense  body,  and 
rises  high  in  the  air. 

Colonel  Graham  remained  at  El  Paso,  but  sent  forward 
Lieutenant  Burnside  with  a  letter  introducing  him  to  Com 
missioner  Bartlett  as  "an  officer  of  great  merit."  He  at 
once  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  his  duties  as  quarter 
master  and  commissary,  and  commenced  arrangements  for 
equipping  subsistence  parties  who  were  to  make  surveys 
and  observations.  When  Colonel  Graham  arrived,  diffi 
culties  arose  almost  immediately  between  him  and  Mr. 
Gray,  the  chief  surveyor,  which  Commissioner  Bartlett 
could  not  adjust.  Wishing  to  obtain  more  positive  instruc 
tions,  he  determined  to  send  one  of  his  civilian  assistants, 
Mr.  Charles  Radziminski,  to  Washington  with  special  dis 
patches  narrating  his  story  of  the  situation.  Learning 
this,  Colonel  Graham  started  Lieutenant  Burnside  at  ten 
o'clock  the  next  morning  on  a  similar  errand,  with  his  story 
of  the  difficulty.  Great  interest  was  manifested  as  to 
which  of  the  two  expresses  would  be  the  first  to  arrive  at 
Washington.  They  went  by  different  routes :  Mr.  Radxi- 
minski  going  by  El  Paso  and  San  Antonio,  and  thence 
through  the  Southern  States,  while  Lieutenant  Burnside 
struck  boldly  for  the  Missouri  River,  on  what  was  known 
as  the  old  Santa  Fe  trail. 


yo  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

Colonel  Graham,  inclosing  the  dispatches  which  gave 
his  version  of  the  difficulties  which  had  arisen  between 
Commissioner  Bartlett  and  himself,  said:  "In  regard  to 
matters  touching  the  commissariat,  I  must  leave  them,  for 
want  of  time  to  enter  into  details,  to  the  explanation  which 
will  be  made  by  Lieutenant  Burnside,  an  officer  of  the 
highest  honor  and  the  highest  merit,  in  whose  statements 
the  most  implicit  confidence  may  be  placed." 

Commissioner  Bartlett,  in  a  dispatch  narrating  his  side 
of  the  dispute,  and  earnestly  protesting  against  the  pro 
cedure,  said  :  "In  justice  to  Lieutenant  Burnside,  I  would 
state  that,  prior  to  the  arrival  of  Colonel  Graham,  and 
when  he  was,  in  consequence,  influenced  by  his  own  judg 
ment  and  good  sense,  he  conducted  in  every  way  in  a 
highly  acceptable  manner;  but  subsequently  a  material 
change  has  taken  place  in  him  as  regards  his  official  (  not 
individual)  capacity.  During  the  former  period  he.  in 
fact,  discharged  the  duties  of  quartermaster  ;  during  the 
latter  he  has  become  an  automaton.  I  should  desire  no 
better  quartermaster,  were  he  instructed  to  recognize  and 
obey  my  legitimate  orders,  as  head  of  the  commission  ;  but 
I  do  not  admit  that  requisitions  by  me  made,  and  for  which 
I  am  responsible,  are  to  be  submitted  to  another  individ 
ual,  to  be  by  him  approved  before  the  quartermaster  shall 
answer  them." 

This  race  of  twelve  hundred  miles  across  the  then  almost 
unknown  country  of  the  savage  Apaches  has  rarely  been 
equaled,  and  it  tested  the  iron  frame  and  the  audacious 
nature  of  the  young  officer  who  was  competing  with  a 
civilian.  With  an  escort  of  three  men  —  one  of  them  his 
faithful  negro  servant,  Robert  Holloway,  who  continued  to 
serve  him  through  life  with  marked  devotion  —  he  started 

O 

on  his  way  across  the  \\\fajornadcs.,  or  stretches  of  inhos 
pitable  and  unwatered  desert,  uninhabited  and  uninhabita- 


GEA'.    A  MI! HOSE   E.    BURNSIDE.  yj 

ble.  The  scanty  vegetation  of  the  previous  years  had 
become  so  dry  and  withered  by  the  scorching  rays  of  the 

*>  J  O  J 

sun,  that  it  crumbled  into  dust  when  crushed  in  the  hand 
or  trodden  on  by  animals.  The  beds  of  the  streams  were 
dry,  and  the  little  lakes  that  once  bordered  them  did  not 
contain  a  drop  of  water.  Several  times,  in  crossing  these 
dry  basins,  they  saw  beautiful  mirages,  which  appeared 
like  bodies  of  water  in  the  distance.  Clumps  of  bushes  rose 
from  their  surface  like  small  islands,  and  the  green  grass 
on  their  borders  was  reflected  from  the  imaginary  surface. 

Lieutenant  Burnside  had  also  to  contend  with  the  Indians, 
who  were  well  mounted,  and  armed  with  lances  and  bows 
and  arrows.  One  party  followed  his  trail  for  more  than 
twenty-four  hours,  and  he  only  escaped  through  the  dark 
ness  of  night,  which  enabled  him  to  elude  his  pursuers. 
Mis  guide,  a  veteran  frontier  mail-rider,  twice  lost  his  way, 
and  on  one  occasion  they  were  eleven  hours  without  water. 
They  saw  several  immense  herds  of  buffalo,  which  would 
sometimes  cross  their  road  a  fe\v  hundred  yards  in  front 
of  them,  and  kneeling  down,  toss  the  dust  into  the  air  with 
their  horns,  and  then  dash  off  again,  with  their  long  beards 
and  manes  waving  in  the  wind.  They  ate  some  of  the 
choice  parts  of  all  which  they  killed,  and  carried  a  few 
pieces  along  with  them,  leaving  the  remainder  for  the  at 
tendant  pack  of  wolves.  When  they  arrived  at  Fort  Leav- 
emvorth  they  were  so  worn  out  with  fatigue  and  want  of 
sleep,  that  the  surgeon  ordered  them  to  be  waked  every 
half-hour,  walked  about  for  five  minutes,  and  then  fed  with 
beef-tea. 

After  a  few  days'  rest  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Lieutenant 
Burnside  proceeded  to  St.  Louis,  and  thence  to  Washing 
ton,  arriving  there  in  thirty-one  days  after  he  left  the  Cop 
per-mines.  He  delivered  his  dispatches  to  the  Secretary 
of  the  Interior  nearly  a  month  before  the  arrival  of  his 


72  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

competitor,  Mr.  Radziminski.  The  government,  however, 
after  reading  both  dispatches  and  hearing  both  of  the 
special  messengers,  sustained  Commissioner  Bartlett  and 
removed  Colonel  Graham,  appointing  Major  AV.  H.  Emory 
in  his  place. 

Lieutenant  Burnside  was  highly  complimented  at  Wash 
ington  on  his  wonderful  ride,  and  the  Secretary  of  War 
placed  his  name  on  a  list  from  which  officers  were  to  be 
selected  for  promotion.  He  also  gave  him  permission  to 
remain  at  Washington  and  have  manufactured  at  the  ar- 

O  t 

senal  a  breech-loading  fire-arm  which  he  had  invented, 
the  drawings  of  which  had  received  high  approval  from 
those  officers  of  the  army  who  had  examined  them. 
Lieutenant  Burnside's  attention  had  been  called  to  the  sub 
ject  of  breech-loaders  while  on  his  ride  from  New  Mexico, 
when  in  crossing  a  stream  one  of  his  men  accidentally  let 
his  carbine  fall  into  the  water,  and  the  next  day  the  lock 
was  so  rusted  that  it  was  with  difficulty  that  it  could  be 
made  serviceable.  This  started  afresh  in  Lieutenant  Burn- 
side's  mind  the  improvement  of  lire-arms,  which  had  been 
a  common  topic  of  discussion  among  the  United  States 
army  officers  in  Mexico.  The  muskets,  carbines,  and  pis 
tols  carried  by  the  soldiers  who  fought  under  Taylor  and 
Scott  differed  in  no  essential  particular  from  those  used  at 
Yorktown  and  at  New  Orleans,  except  that  they  were 
lighter.  It  was  estimated  that  no  one  bullet  fired  in  two 
hundred  and  fifty  caused  death,  and  it  was  an  army  say 
ing  that  to  kill  a  man  it  would  be  necessary  to  fire  his  own 

O  ~ 

weight  in  lead  before  he  was  hit,  except  by  accident.  It 
was  not  strange,  therefore,  that  many  intelligent  officers 
racked  their  brains  to  invent  and  to  construct  readier  and 
more  certain  means  for  destroying  human  life.  Old  wea 
pons,  like  the  revolver,  were  revived  in  their  integrity  or 
with  some  modifications,  and  mechanical  gun-making  in- 


GEX.    AMBROSE   E.    BURXSIDE.  -  i 

genuity  \vas  devoted  to  the  production  and  the  perfection 
of  efficient  breech-loaders. 

The  result  of  Lieutenant  Burnside's  meditations  on  this 
subject  was  the  production  of  a  breech-loader  which  would 
not  become  so  speedily  heated  from  rapidity  of  fire  as  to 
impair  the  general  utility  of  the  weapon,  while  the  mech 
anism  was  as  secure  from  water  or  derangement  as  that  of 
the  muzzle-loader  with  its  flint  lock. 

While  in  waiting  at  Washington,  he  put  his  thoughts 
into  shape,  and  produced  an  arm  which  attracted  much 
notice  for  its  simplicity,  its  strength,  and  its  adaptability 
for  military  uses.  Several  pattern  arms  were  made  under 
his  direction  at  the  Washington  Arsenal,  and  when  tested 
they  proved  superior  to  similar  inventions  recently  made. 

On  the  i6th  of  December,  1851,  Lieutenant  Burnside 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant,  and  received 
a  furlough,  that  he  might  visit  his  home  in  Indiana.  He 
was  greeted  with  open  arms,  and  his  old  friends  were  de 
lighted  to  find  that  he  not  only  recognized  them,  but  could 
call  them  by  their  names,  a  wonderful  faculty  which  he 
retained  through  life.  Among  those  whom  he  met  was 
his  old  partner,  Mr.  John  M.  Myers,  who  had  served 
creditably  in  Mexico,  and  had  risen  to  the  command  of  a 
regiment  of  volunteers,  with  the  rank  of  colonel. 

While  at  home  on  a  previous  visit.  Lieutenant  Burnside 
had  made  many  acquaintances  at  the  neighboring  town  ot 
Hamilton,  Ohio.  Among  them  was  a  Kentucky  belle, 
who  united  to  the  vivacity  of  the  North  the  soft  and  lan 
guid  style  of  the  South.  She  was  highly  educated,  and 
her  industry  in  acquiring  knowledge  was  only  surpassed 
by  her  conversational  power  to  impart  it  to  others.  The 
young  officer  was  dazzled  by  her  personal  beauty  and  ac 
complishments,  charmed  by  her  affability,  and  bewitched 
by  her  fascinations.  Offering  his  hand,  it  was  accepted, 


tjA  GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

the  necessary  license  was  procured,  and  on  an  appointed 
day  the  young  couple  stood  up  before  a  clergyman  to  be 
joined  in  wedlock.  Asked  whether  he  would  take  the 
bride  to  be  his  wedded  wife,  Burnside  responded  affirma 
tively,  but  when  the  question  was  put  to  her,  whether  she 
would  take  him  to  be  her  husband,  she  said  no  !  and  could 
not  be  prevailed  upon  to  change  her  mind.  This,  of 
course,  terminated  the  proposed  marriage,  to  the  great 
annoyance  of  the  disappointed  bridegroom.  The  amaze 
ment  with  which  youth  receives  its  first  defeat  in  love  came 
to  deaden  the  smart  of  the  rebuff,  and  then  the  flame 
which  Cupid  had  so  suddenly  kindled  was  extinguished 
without  a  sigh. 

A  few  years  afterwards,  a  distinguished  Ohio  lawyer 
obtained  from  the  same  lady  a  promise  that  she  would 
marry  him,  and  the  wedding-day  was  fixed.  He  showed 
her,  on  their  way  to  be  married,  a  revolver,  and  told  her 
that  she  would  return  either  his  wife  or  a  corpse.  Prompted 
either  by  love  or  by  fear,  she  replied,  "I  will,"  and  she 
made  a  most  devoted  wife.  By  a  curious  coincidence, 
when,  during  the  Rebellion,  General  Burnside  was  placed 
in  command  of  the  military  district  of  the  Ohio,  the  lady's 
mother  and  sister  were  arrested  as  they  were  about  to  go 
South,  carrying  correspondence  and  munition  of  war  con 
cealed  on  their  persons.  General  Burnside  ordered  them 
sent  through  the  lines  into  "Dixie, "and  the  husband  of 
his  old  lady-love  had  hard  work  to  obtain  from  President 
Lincoln  permission  for  them  to  return  to  their  home. 

On  the  i6th  of  March,  1852,  a  special  order,  issued  by 
command  of  Major  General  Scott,  relieved  Lieutenant 
Burnside  from  duty  on  the  Mexican  Boundary  Commission, 
and  directed  him  to  proceed  without  delay  to  join  his  com 
pany  at  Fort  Adams,  near  Newport. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


AT  FOHT  ADAMS  AGAIN'— GARRISON'  DUTY  —  MARRIAGE  TO  MISS 
MARY  R.  BISHOP—  LIFE  IN  A  CASEMATE  —  RESIGNS  HIS  COM 
MISSION—MAJOR  GENERAL  OF  MILITIA  —  VISITOR  TO  WEST 
POINT -CANDIDATE  FOR  CONGRESS. 

\  GAIN  at  Fort  Adams,  Lieutenant  Burnside  was  one 

/  \       of  the    hosts  on   "fort  davs,"  when   a  gay  cqn- 

j^      X.    course  would  drive  or  ride  out  from  Newport,  to 

hear  the  fine  regimental  band  till  the  air  with  the  concert 

o 

of  sweet  harmony.  Beautiful  and  elegantly  dressed  ladies 
from  every  section  of  the  country  would  promenade  to  and 
fro.  now  and  then  returning  with  haughty  or  affable  recog 
nition  the  salute  of  a  friend  or  acquaintance,  or  visiting  the 
officers  in  their  cosy  casemates,  several  of  which  were  lux 
uriously  fitted  up. 

The  light  battery  to  which  Lieutenant  Burnside  was 
attached  was  composed  of  picked  men,  active  and  intelli 
gent,  and  was  drilled  by  efficient  officers  in  the  perform 
ance  of  movements  which  would  be  very  effective  in  an 
engagement.  Showy  additions  were  made  to  the  regula 
tion  uniform,  and  the  strict  discipline  enforced,  the  care 


76  LIFE  AND  PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

taken  of  the  horses,  and  the  confidence  felt  bv  the  men  in 

\  ^ 

themselves  and  their  officers,  made  the  light  battery  a 
perfect  organization.  The  last  recruit,  beneath  the  eye  of 
the  commander,  "  felt  full  of  point  of  honor  like  a  knight." 

Lieutenant  Burnside  was  not  only  popular  with  the  offi 
cers  and  men  of  his  command,  but  with  the  members  of 
the  volunteer  militia  associations  of  Rhode  Island,  who 
sought  the  acquaintance  and  the  advice  of  those  who  had 
received  military  educations.  His  courteous  and  consid 
erate  manner  —  which  was  no  outward  form,  but  the  natural 
result  and  the  true  reflex  of  his  kindly  disposition  —  made 
him  a  general  favorite  in  the  militia  armories.  Among 
the  organizations  with  the  members  of  which  he  became 
acquainted  was  the  Marine  Artillery  Corps  of  Providence, 
which  Mr.  William  Sprague,  afterwards  the  War  Gov 
ernor  of  Rhode  Island,  had  made  so  efficient  in  drill  that 
it  compared  favorably  with  the  light  batteries  of  the  regu 
lar  army.  At  a  ball  given  by  this  corps  at  Providence, 
Lieutenant  Burnside  met  Miss  Bishop,  the  lady  who  after 
wards  became  his  wife. 

Lieutenant  Burnside  also  devoted  much  time  and  thought 
to  the  breech-loading  rifle  which  he  had  invented.  It  had 
been  his  wish  that  government  should  manufacture  this 
weapon  at  the  Springfield  Armory.  While  he  would  not 
have  objected  to  the  receipt  of  a  reasonable  royalty  for  his 
invention,  he  did  not  wish  it  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  spec 
ulators,  and  be  manufactured  so  cheaply  that  its  efficacy 
would  be  impaired.  Meanwhile  Congress  was  urged  to 
make  an  appropriation  of  $100.000  for  the  best  breech- 
loading  rifle,  and  it  was  understood  by  those  familiar  with 
the  subject,  that  the  Burnside  rifle  was  far  superior  to  any 
other  which  had  been  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  Ord 
nance  Department. 


GEAr.    AMI3ROSE   E     JiUJfNSfDE.  yy 

On  the  2yth  of  April,  1852,  Lieutenant  Burnside  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  Richmond  Bishop,  at  Providence, 
where  she  had  been  born  on  the  26th  of  October.  1828. 
She  was  the  only  daughter  and  the  youngest  child  of 
Maj.  Nathaniel  Bishop,  who  had  married  Fanny  Windsor. 
Miss  Bishop  was  a  lady  of  courtly  presence,  rather  tall 
and  stately,  of  quiet  and  genial  temper,  self-reliant,  and 
the  possessor  of  earnest  religious  convictions.  The  educa 
tion  which  she  had  received  had  been  conducive  to  the 
development  of  feminine  character. 

Mrs.  Burnside  made  the  casemate  at  Fort  Adams,  in 
which  they  passed  the  first  months  of  their  wedded  life,  a 
happy  home,  where  she  greeted  her  young1  husband  with 
joy-beaming  eyes,  and  encouraged  him  as  he  advanced 
amid  the  stern  realities  of  life.  She  also  exerted  a  salutary 
influence  in  toning  down  the  exuberance  of  spirits  acquired 
in  military  life,  and  in  reforming  his  camp  habits.  One 
day,  as  they  were  sitting  together,  a  messenger  brought  in 
a  demijohn  of  wine  which  Lieutenant  Burnside  had  pur 
chased  at  Providence,  and  put  it  down  roughly  on  the 
brick  floor.  The  wicker  covering  could  not  protect  the 
enclosed  glass  vessel,  which  broke,  and  the  wine  was 
wasted.  The  young  lieutenant,  incensed  by  the  man's 
carelessness,  which  would  prevent  his  offering  a  glass  of 
wine  to  visiting  friends  that  afternoon,  expressed  himself 
in  language  more  profane  than  elegant.  When  the  man 
had  left,  Mrs.  Burnside  rose  from  her  seat,  went  to  her 
husband,  and  placing  her  hand  on  his  shoulder  as  she 
looked  him  calmly  in  the  face,  said  :  "My  dear,  you  have 
shocked  me  by  swearing  so.  Don't,  I  beg  of  you,  ever  let 
me  hear  you  use  profane  language  again."  From  that 
day,  an  oath  rarely  escaped  General  Burnside's  lips,  al 
though  He  was  often  sorely  tempted  to  relieve  his  feelings 
by  an  energetic  use  of  the  king's  English. 


jS  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

Resigning  on  the  ist  of  November,  1852,  Mr.  Burnside, 
aided  by  the  capital  of  friends,  established  a  factory  for 
the  manufacture  of  his  breech-loading  rifle  at  the  pleasant 
town  of  Bristol,  which  he  made  his  home.  The  "  Bristol 
Rifle  Works  "  were  very  completely  equipped  with  the 
most  improved  machinery  for  manufacturing  locks,  barrels, 
and  finished  arms.  When  inspected  by  a  board  of  United 
States  army  officers  it  met  their  approval  as  possessing 
facilities  for  manufacturing  arms  of  the  best  quality,  both 
as  regarded  material  and  workmanship.  Mr.  Burnside 
was  the  life  of  the  establishment,  ever  on  the  alert  to  sug 
gest  some  improvement  in  the  machinery,  and  encouraging 
the  workmen  by  commendation  of  their  skill.  At  home, 
after  the  occupations  of  the  day,  his  mind  was  constantly 
busy,  and  he  read  a  great  deal,  carefully  studying  all 
available  works  on  ordnance  projectiles.  It  was  not 
strange  that  he  became  very  popular  among  his  neighbors, 
and  that  he  was  a  general  favorite  in  the  social  circle  of 
the  quaint  old  to\vn  of  Bristol. 

The  volunteer  militia  of  Rhode  Island  recognized  his 

O 

military  ability  and  his  ardent  attachment  to  the  profes 
sion  of  arms,  by  which  he  was  qualified  for  usefulness 
when  preparing  for  war  in  times  of  peace,  and  in  1855  he 
was,  at  their  request,  placed  in  command  of  them  as  major- 
general  of  the  volunteer  militia  of  the  State.  He  at  once 
began  such  reforms  and  reorganizations  as  would  promote 
the  efficiency  of  the  force,  but  met  with  obstacles  in  the 
jealousies  of  the  local  corps,  some  of  which,  regarding 
themselves  as  independent,  were  unwilling  to  submit  to 
his  authority. 

In  1856  he  ordered  a  court-martial  for  the  trial  of  the 
commander  of  a  Providence  corps,  who  had  refused  to 
occupy  a  place  assigned  to  him  in  a  Fourth  of  July  pro- 


GEN.    A  MR HOSE    E.    /U'I{.\S/DE.  ^g 

cession,  alleging  as  an  excuse  for  non-appearance  that 
the  weather  was  rainy,  and  that  the  new  uniforms  of  the 
corps  would  be  damaged.  The  governor  of  the  State  inter 
fered,  as  commander-in-chiei,  and  dissolved  the  court, 
whereupon  General  Burnside  resigned  his  commission, 
and  the  officer  who  was  to  have  been  tried  was  elected  by 
the  Legislature  as  his  successor. 

Appointed  by  President  Pierce  one  of  the  Board  of  Vis 
itors  of  the  United  States  Military  Academy  in  1856,  Gen 
eral  Burnside  met  his  associates  there  on  the  second  day 
of  June,  and  remained  in  session  with  them  until  the  seven 
teenth.  He  was  a  member  of  the  committee  on  discipline, 
police,  quarters  and  mess  arrangements,  and  his  practical 
suggestions,  based  upon  his  personal  experience,  were 
adopted  by  the  committee,  and  subsequently  by  the  Board 
of  Visitors.  The  course  of  studies  was  that  which  he  had 
followed  a  few  years  previous,  and  was  theoretically  that 
as  organized  by  Colonel  Thayer  as  the  best  fitted  for  an 
American  military  education — a  course  calculated  to  cul- 
tivate  the  powers  of  thought  rather  than  crowd  the  memorv 
with  a  general  smattering  of  many  branches  of  knowl 
edge.  He  rightly  believed,  it  lias  been  said  by  his  associ 
ates,  that  a  military  education  must  be  founded  on  a  math 
ematical  training  and  knowledge, —  hence  he  gave,  in  the 
course,  that  prominence  which  they  have  ever  since  re 
tained,  to  mathematics,  natural  and  experimental  philoso 
phy,  and  engineering.  An  attempt  made  by  a  member 
of  the  board  to  suggest  a  change  of  this  course  of  studies 
met  with  decided  opposition  from  General  Burnside,  and 
failed. 

The  Board  of  Visitors,  in  their  annual  report,  expressed 
in  conclusion  the  high  satisfaction  which  their  visit  had 
given  them,  say  ing  :  "  Representing  as  they  do,  fourteen  dis- 


So  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

tinct  states  of  this  great  confederacy,  coming  together  as 
strangers  to  each  other  to  consult  over  the  interests  of  an 
important  national  institution,  they  part  with  sentiments  of 
profound  and  honest  pride  —  sentiments  which  the}'  are 
sure  are  responded  to  by  their  constituents  —  that  their 
country  has  established  so  noble  an  institution  as  the  Uni 
ted  States  Military  Academy.  While  differences  of  opin 
ion  have  occasionally  existed  in  their  consideration  of  the 
various  questions  of  public  policy  which  relate  to  the  cqn- 
duct  of  this  great  school,  their  session  has  been  one  of  the 
greatest  harmony  and  satisfaction  ;  and  the  views  which 
they  beg  leave  now  to  present  are  the  result  of  their  united 
and  concurrent  labors."' 

General  Burnside  was  at  this  time  acting  with  the  Dem 
ocratic  party,  and  on  the  4th  of  March,  1857,  he  was  nom 
inated  on  the  second  ballot,  as  the  Democratic  candidate 
for  Congress  from  the  Eastern  district  of  Rhode  Island. 

O 

The  Bristol  Phceuix,  a  newspaper  politically  opposed  to 
him,  said  of  this  nomination  :  "  Our  distinguished  towns 
man,  Gen.  A.  E.  .Burnside,  has  been  honored  by  the 
Democratic  convention  with  the  nomination  to  the  next 
Congress  from  this  district.  If  it  were  possible  for  the 
General  to  be  elected,  he  would  fill  the  office  with  honor 
to  the  State,  the  town,  and  to  himself." 

General  Burnside  accepted  the  nomination,  and  intended 
to  have  "  stumped''  the  district.  His  business  preventing 
this,  he  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  voters  of  the 
Eastern  district,  prior  to  the  election.  The  Providence 
Post,  which  was  the  recognized  organ  of  the  Democracy 
of  Rhode  Island  at  the  time,  said  editorially:  "All  will 
recognize  in  this  letter  the  manly  frankness  oi  an  honest 
and  earnest  man  —  a  man  who  can  be  relied  upon  under 
all  circumstances,  and  who  deals  more  in  action  than  in 
words." 


MRS.    GENERAL     A.    E.    BURNSIDE. 


MRS.     GENERAL     A.     K.     RURNSTDE. 


GEN.    AMBR OS E    E.    BURNS  IDE.  gl 

BRISTOL,  March  27,  1857. 
Fellow-Citizens  of  the  Eastern  Congressional  District  of  Rhode  Island : 

I  have  been  kept  from  the  State  by  urgent  business  ;  otherwise  I  should, 
before  this,  have  fulfilled  my  promise  made  to  you  in  the  letter  of  accept 
ance  of  my  nomination  to  Congress  by  the  Democrats  of  our  district. 
I  shall  not  be  able  to  meet  you,  as  I  hoped,  and  therefore  take  this  method 
of  briefly  expressing  my  views  upon  some  of  the  most  important  politi 
cal  topics  of  the  day,  that  those  who  choose  to  honor  me  with  their  votes 
may  know  for  what  they  are  voting. 

I  am  in  favor  of  a  tariff  that  will  incidentally  protect  home  industry, 
home  capital,  and  home  interests,  and  that  will  enable  our  manufacturers 
to  compete  successfully  with  foreign  manufacturers,  without  interference 
with  the  constitutional  basis  of  our  revenue  laws. 

I  am  opposed  to  the  hasty  legislation  which  rushed  through  Congress 
the  tariff  measure  of  the  last  session,  and  induced  members  to  vote  for  a 
bill,  the  contents  of  which  they  did  not  know,  and  which  may  prove  to 
be  the  source  of  great  injustice  to  our  manufacturers. 

I  am  opposed  to  the  wholesale  giving  away  of  the  public  lands  to  rail 
road  corporations,  and  other  like  institutions  ;  at  the  same  time,  I  believe 
that  the  government  can  encourage  by  gifts,  great  national  enterprises 
which  are  for  the  common  weal,  and  are  so  placed  that  they  cannot  prop 
erly  expect  local  support.  Such  works,  in  my  opinion,  are  the  Atlantic 
and  Pacific  Telegraphs,  and  the  Pacific  Railroad. 

I  am  in  favor  of  a  foreign  policy  that  will  cultivate  relations  of  peace 
with  all  nations,  and  I  will  never  give  my  influence,  either  as  a  private 
citizen  or  a  public  servant,  for  war,  so  long  as  it  can  be  honorably  avoided. 

I  am  in  favor  of  the  present  independent  treasury  system. 

I  am  in  favor  of  admitting  any  territory  into  the  Union  of  States  as 
soon  as  it  has  fulfilled  the  requirements  of  the  Constitution,  and  shall 
petition  for  admission.  A  taint  of  injustice,  bribery,  outside  influence  or 
force  attached  to  the  petition,  would  secure  for  it  my  unconditional 
opposition. 

The  most  important  requirement,  in  my  opinion,  is,  that  the  Constitu 
tion  should  express  the  unrestrained  and  unbiased  wishes  of  the  people. 
The  next  in  importance  is  that  the  territory  should  have  the  proper  num 
ber  of  inhabitants. 

I  believe  that  the  principle  of  allowing  the  people  of  the  states  and 
territories  to  arrange  their  own  local  institutions  is  right,  and  that  the 
general  government  should  only  interfere  when  it  finds  that  the  people  of 
a  territory  are  checked  in  that  privilege  by  imp'roper  influences;  and 
when  it  does  interfere  it  should  be  without  prejudice,  and  with  energy 

Whether  I  remain  a  private  citizen,  or  am  made  by  you  a  public  servant, 
G 


82  GEN.    A  Mil  HOSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 

I  shall  give  to  James  Buchanan's  administration  my  humble  support,  so 
long  as  he  is  governed  by  the  great  principles  laid  down  in  his  inaugural 
address,  but  I  owe  no  allegiance  to  any  party  that  will  compel  me  to  sup 
port  his  administration,  should  he  depart  from  those  principles. 

Fellow-citizens,  I  have  been  in  your  State  but  five  years,  and  am  com 
paratively  unknown.  It  is  but  just  that  you  should  know  mv  political 
opinions,  and  this  is  mv  excuse  for  trespassing  even  thus  briefly  upon 
vour  patience. 

(Signed),  A.   E.   BURNSIDE. 

The  Native  American,  or  Know  Nothing  excitement  then 
prevailed,  and  but  little  regard  was  paid  to  the  qualifica 
tions  of  candidates.  The  American  candidate,  Nathaniel 
B.  Durfee,  was  re-elected,  receiving  5,442  votes  against 
1,971  for  General  Burnside.  Personally,  he  did  not  regret 
the  defeat,  and  his  friends  felt  confident  that,  sooner  or 
later,  the  people  of  Rhode  Island  would  recognize  his 
merits  and  reward  his  services. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


COMPETITIVE  TEST  OF  BREECH-LOADING  WEAPONS— THE  INVEN 
TOR'S  STATEMENT  — REPORTS  OF  TWO  HOARDS  —  DISHONOR 
ABLE  PROPOSITION  TO  SECURE  THE  CONTRACT  REJECTED  — 
PECUNIARY  REVERSES  — RAILROAD  SERVICE  AT  CHICAGO  AND 
AT  XE\V  YORK  — THE  THREATENING  \VAR-STORM-RHODE 
ISLAND  PREPARES  FOR  THE  FRAY. 

THE    long-talked    of  competitive   test    of  fire-arms 
arrived   at  last.      On  the  lyth  of  August,  1857,  a 
board  of  officers  of  the   army  assembled  at  West 
Point  for  the  purpose  of  making  trials  of  breech-loading 
rifles,    with  the  view  of   ascertaining  which   arm   of  this 
description  was  best  suited  for  the  military  service.     The 
board  was  composed  of  six  officers,  representing  different 
branches  of  the  service,  with  Lieut. -Col.  13.  L.  Beall,  ol 
the  First  Dragoons,  as  president. 

Eighteen  inventors  submitted  their  arms,  which  were 
successively  tested  in  the  order  named  in  a  list  from  the 
War  Department.  Each  rifle  was  fired  twenty  rounds  at 
100  yards,  and  twenty  rounds  at  600  yards,  with  ammuni 
tion  furnished  by  the  inventor.  The  first  six  shots  were 
fired  by  him,  or  by  some  person  designated  by  him,  and 
the  remainder  by  a  member  of  the  board,  or  some  one  des 
ignated  by  the  board.  The  penetration  was  to  be  deter 
mined  by  firing  three  rounds  at  a  pine-board  target,  with 


84  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

powder  furnished  by  the  government.  To  test  the  com 
parative  rapidity  of  fire,  eighteen  rounds  were  fired  by  the 
inventor,  or  some  one  designated  by  him,  and  one  hundred 
rounds  were  then  fired  at  the  loo-yard  target  without 
cleaning  the  piece,  to  test  the  working  of  the  machinery. 
Several  of  the  inventors  were  not  ready,  but  General 
Burnside  was  promptly  on  hand,  and  although  his  fire 
arm  stood < No.  1 6  on  the  programme,  his  was  the  sixth 
tested.  He  fired  the  first  six  shots  himself,  and  the  carbine 
was  then  taken  by  his  old  room-mate,  Captain  Heth,  who 
was  a  member  of  the  board.  The  carbine  weighed  6.6 
pounds,  the  length  of  the  barrel  was  23.75  inches,  and 
the  diameter  of  the  bore  was  .54  inches.  The  charge  of 
50  grains  of  powder  was  in  a  brass  shell  which  weighed 
173  grains,  and  the  weight  of  the  ball  was  150  grains. 
A  number  of  the  shots  were  fired  with  the  Maynard  primer, 
and  the  remainder  with  percussion  caps.  There  was  no 
escape  of  gas  at  the  joint,  nor  any  interruption  in  the 
working  of  the  machinery,  while  the  use  of  a  thick  wad 
between  the  powder  and  the  ball  removed  the  dirt  from 
the  barrel  very  effectually  on  each  discharge. 

The  board  having  requested  the  inventors  of  the  arms 
tested  to  state  in  writing  the  advantages  which  they  each 
claimed  for  their  inventions,  General  Burnside  filed  the  fol 
lowing  paper : 

WEST  POINT,  Sept.  30,  1857. 

Having  been  requested  by  the  board  to  present  a  statement  of  the  ad 
vantages  I  claim  for  my  arm  over  other  "breech-loaders,"  I  have  the 
honor  to  submit  the  following: 

My  arm  is  simple  in  construction,  there  being  no  small  complicated 
part  in  the  breech-loading  machinery. 

It  is  strong,  compact,  and  durable;  the  stock  and  barrel  being  firmly 
connected  together,  the  barrel  cannot  become  loosened  in  the  stock  by 
constant  wear  and  jarring,  as  is  the  case  with  arms  that  lift  up  or  throw 
down  the  entire  barrel  in  the  act  of  loading.  The  chamber  works  upon 


GEN.    AMIiKOSE  E.    HUKXSIDE.  S< 

o 

the  simplest  hinge,  and  when  locked  in  its  place  for  firing  is  independent 
of  that  hinge.  The  open  joints  of  the  chamber  cannot  wear  by  firing,  as 
they  are  at  each  fire  perfectly  packed  by  the  cartridge  itself,  and  not  by 
metal  disks  or  cups  connected  with  the  arm,  which  disks  or  cups  would 
be  liable  to  wear  and  break  by  heating,  cooling,  and  rusting,  causing  the 
joints  to  open,  the  gas  to  escape,  and  the  arm  to  foul  in  firing.  The 
joints  in  my  arm  need  not  to  be  ground  to  fit;  in  fact,  they  can  be  the 
1-32  of  an  inch  or  more  open,  and  then  be  perfectly  packed -by  the  cart 
ridge. 

It  is  light  and  portable. 

It  can  be  fired  with  as  much  speed  as  is  desirable. 

It  is  not  liable  to  foul  in  firing  in  either  the  barrel  or  chamber,  owing 
to  the  peculiar  construction  of  the  cartridge. 

The  cartridge  is  water-tight,  and  can  be  taken  from  the  chamber  in  per 
fect  condition  after  loading,  thereby  making  a  great  saving  in  the  expend 
iture  of  cartridges,  and  securing  the  most  necessary  principle  in  warfare, 
and  border-warfare  particularly ;  — that  is,  a  full  reliance  upon  the  effi 
ciency  of  the  cartridge  at  all  times  and  in  all  weather. 

The  arm  can  be  fired  with  loose  powder  and  ball  or  paper  cartridges. 

The  cartridge  exactly  fills  the  chamber,  and  the  ball,  as  a  consequence, 
starts  from  its  bed  with  the  axis  corresponding  with  axis  of  the  bore. 

The  cost  of  the  cartridge  is  about  double  that  of  the  paper  ones,  but  the 
cases  can  be  reloaded.  The  increase  in  cost,  of  course,  is  trilling,  if  they 
are  more  efficient. 

1  have  studied  to  make  mv  arm  a  purely  military  one. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

(Signed).  A.  E.  BURNSIDE. 

To  the  Board  for  Examining  Brftch-Loading  Rifles,   If'<w/  Point. 

The  board,  after  careful  investigation  and  due  deliber 
ation,  made  the  follov/ing  report,  which  awarded  the  palm 
to  General  Burnside  : 

After  a  full  and  careful  consideration  of  all  the  arms  tried,  the  board 
are  of  the  unanimous  opinion  that  the  breech-loading  rifle  submitted  by 
A.  E.  Burnside,  of  Rhode  Island,  is  best  suited  for  the  military  service. 

As  a  breech-loading  arm  it  is  thought  to  be  simple  and  strong  in  its 
parts,  and  therefore  less  liable  to  get  out  of  order  than  any  other.  The 
cartridge  is  simple  in  its  structure,  strong,  and  perfectly  protects  the 
powder  from  moisture,  and  the  gun  from  the  clogging  action  of  the  gas. 

In  expressing  this  opinion  the  board  do  not  wish  to  be  understood  a? 


86  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

disparaging  the  merits  of  the  other  guns  tried,  for  they  consider  that  some 
of  them  possess  much  merit,  and  evince  much  ingenuity  in  their  con 
struction. 

In  submitting  this  opinion  the  board  feel  it  their  duty  to  state  that 
they  have  seen  nothing  in  these  trials  to  lead  them  to  think  that  a  breech- 
loading  arm  has  yet  been  invented  which  is  suited  to  replace  the  muzzle- 
loading  gun  for  foot  troops.  On  the  contrary,  they  have  seen  much  to 
impress  them  with  an  opinion  unfavorable  to  the  use  of  a  breech-loading 
arm  for  general  military  purposes. 

General  Burnside  expected  that  on  the  receipt  of  this 
award,  the  Secretary  of  War  would  order  his  arms  to  the 
amount  of  $90,000,  which  was  the  unexpended  balance  of 
the  appropriation.  To  his  surprise,  only  three  hundred  car 
bines  were  ordered,  and  it  was  evident  that  the  Secretary 
of  War  was,  for  some  reason, — unknown  to  General 
Burnside, —  unwilling  that  he  should  receive  the  benefits 
of  the  appropriation. 

After  much  delay  the  ordnance  officer  appointed  a  new 
board,  composed  of  three  ordnance  officers,  with  Major 
Mordecair  as  chairman,  to  test  breech-loading  arms.  Seven 
carbines  were  presented,  and  were  subjected  to  a  variety 
of  severe  tests,  including  immersion  in  water  without  sub 
sequent  cleaning. 

The  board  made  a  report,  in  which  all  of  the  arms  were 
criticised  as  having  serious  defects  which  prevented  their 
giving  any  one  of 'them  an  unqualified  approval.  The 
report  then  said  : 

Being  required  however,  by  the  terms  of  the  law,  to  select  the  "best 
model"  of  breech-loading  arms,  the  board  are  of  opinion  that  among  the 
arms  offered  for  their  examination,  the  Burnside  carbine  is  the  least  ob 
jectionable  for  use  in  the  hands  of  mounted  troops. 

The  construction  of  this  arm  seems  to  be  sufficiently  strong;  it  can 
be  easily  and  safely  loaded  and  handled  on  horseback;  the  movements 
are  simple  and  easily  understood-  there  is  no  escape  of  gas  from  the 
joints  ;  the  chamber  and  barrel  are  kept  clean  and  not  subject  to  be  clogged 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.   BURNSIDE. 


87 


by  fragments  of  the  (metallic)  cartridge-case;  its  range  and  accuracy  of 
fire  are  very  satisfactory,  with  a  moderate  charge  of  powder,  and  no  in 
convenient  recoil. 

General  Burnside  hoped  that  after  this  indorsement  by 
the  second  board  of  the  award,  contracts  to  the  amount 
of  $90,000  would  at  once  be  entered  into  wi'th  the  "  Bristol 
Rifle  Works."  But  on  going  to  Washington,  he  was  told 
that  Secretary  Floyd  hesitated  about  directing  the  contract 
to  be  made,  and  he  received  from  different  quarters  hints 
that  he  must  share  the  profits  if  he  desired  to  receive  the 
appropriation. 

One  of  his  classmates  at  West  Point,  a  gentleman  of 
high  honor  and  respectability,  says  :  "About  a  month  after 
the  board  made  its  award,  I  visited  Washington  and  found 
Burnside  there.  I  asked  him  how  he  was  getting  on.  He 
replied,  '  Badly ;  there  is  something  wrong,  but  I  will 
know  to-night.'  We  were  occupying  the  same  room. 
After  midnight  he  came  in,  awoke  me  and  said,  •  I  am  a 
ruined  man  !  I  met  a  man  to-night,  by  appointment,  and 
he  informed  me  that  if  I  would  pay  $5,000  I  could  get  the 
award,  otherwise  not.  I  at  once  indignantly  refused,' — and 
after  a  moment  he  added,  '  there  is  but  one  thing  I  regret, 
and  that  is,  that  I  did  not  fell  him  to  the  ground  ! ' ' 

Reverses  are  common  to  all  the  world,  but  few  are  pre 
pared  to  meet  them.  General  Burnside  had  for  some 
months  been  aware  that  unless  he  obtained  the  govern 
ment  appropriation,  the  "Bristol  Rifle  Works"  must  go 
into  bankruptcy,  and  he  was  the  better  prepared  for  the 
blow.  Friends  offered  their  aid,  but  while  he  thanked 
them  for  their  sympathy,  he  declined  accepting  any  fur 
ther  pecuniary  assistance.  'Going  to  New  York,  he  as 
signed  everything  which  he  possessed,  even  the  letters- 
patent  for  his  invention,  to  the  creditors  of  the  Bristol 


88  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

company,  and  then,  walking  up  the  Bowery  as  bravely 
as  he  would  have  approached  a  hostile  battery,  he  entered 
a  second-hand  clothing  store,  and  offered  for  sale  his  uni 
form,  epaulettes,  and  sword.  Receiving  thirty  dollars  for 
them,  he  sent  half  of  that  sum,  with  about  twenty  dollars 
more  that  was  in  his  pocket,  to  his  wife,  and  started  west 
ward  in  search  of  employment. 

Stopping  at  Liberty,  he  did  not  conceal  from  his  boy 
hood's  friends  that  he  was  a  ruined  and  penniless  man. 
He  had  written  to  his  former  comrade,  Capt.  George  B. 
McClellan,  then  vice-president  of  the  Illinois  Central  Rail 
road,  and  it  so  happened  that  there  was  a  vacancy  which 
Burnside's  West  Point  training  qualified  him  to  fill  —  the 
position  of  cashier  of  the  Railroad  Land  Office.  He  re 
ceived  a  letter  while  he  was  lingering  at  Liberty,  inviting 
him  to  take  the  place.  Accepting,  he  repaired  at  once  to 
Chicago,  where  he  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  his  duties 
April  27,  1858.  He  soon  sent  to  Rhode  Island  for  Mrs. 
Burnside,  and  the  young  couple  resided  in  the  house 
with  Captain  McClellan.  Reducing  his  expenses  to  the 
smallest  possible  amount,  Burnside  remitted  the  remainder 
of  his  salary  to  Rhode  Island  for  the  payment  of  his  debts, 
and  in  time  he  paid  up  every  obligation  in  full. 

General  Burnside  soon  became  a  favorite  at  Chicago, 
and  lie  took  a  great  interest  in  Colonel  Ellsworth,  who  was 
then  drilling  his  company  of  zouaves,  which  afterwards 
visited  New  York  and  other  eastern  cities,  where  their 
exhibition  drills  were  much  applauded.  Their  execution 
of  the  manual  of  arms  and  of  several  intricate  company 
movements  was  theatrical  in  effect,  but  executed  with  such 
faultless  precision  and  unity  of  action,  such  individual  dis 
tinctness  of  motion,  and  such  sympathetic  obedience  to  the 
energetic  young  commander,  as  to  elicit  high  praise,  even 


GEN.    AAfBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE.  §9 

from  West  Point  graduates  and  veterans  of  the  Mexican 
war. 

Although  he  lived  a  retired  life  while  at  Chicago,  Gen 
eral  Burnside  enjoyed  social  popularity  there.  He  was 
neither  very  witty  nor  a  profound  thinker,  but  he  was  well 
informed,  and  he  always  had  in  conversation  the  right 
sentence  ready  at  the  right  time. 

Giving  unqualified  satisfaction  to  the  president  and  other 
officers  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  General  Burn- 
side  was  appointed,  in  June,  1860,  treasurer  of  the  cor 
poration,  with  his  office  at  New  York  City.  Remov 
ing  there,  he  assiduously  devoted  himself  to  the  duties 
of  his  new  office,  and  the  following  fall  he  visited  New 
Orleans  on  the  business  of  the  Illinois  Central  corpo 
ration.  While  there  he  met  a  number  of  his  old  friends, 
with  some  of  whom  he  held  lon<r  arguments  on  the  threat- 

O  O 

ening  aspect  presented  by  the  political  horizon.  Threats 
of  resistance  to  the  Federal  government  and  a  dissolution 
of  the  Union  were  as  common  in  the  rotunda  of  the  St. 
Charles  Hotel  as  household  words,  and  morbid  spirits 
brooded  over  the  destruction  of  the  Union  with  almost 
total  indifference.  General  Burnside,  loyal  and  patriotic, 
felt  his  political  convictions  weakening.  He  saw  that  the 
Democratic  party  wras  southern  and  geographical  ;  that 
it  had  ceased  to  have  any  national  ideas  except  the  nation- 
alitv  of  slavery  ;  that  it  declined  to  protect  free  labor,  but 
sought  the  extension  of  the  area  of  slave  labor  ;  that  it 
permitted  the  surrender  of  forts  and  the  hauling  down  of 
the  flag ;  and  he  frankly  told  his  old  southern  associates 
that  they  did  not  understand  the  temper  of  the  North. 
"There  will  be  no  war,"  said  his  friends.  "Northern 
men  will  not  fight.  The  South  will  separate  herself  from 
the  Union,  will  set  up  an  independent  government,  and 


C>0  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

will  draw  to  her  the  Middle  and  Western  States.  We 
shall  do  whatever  we  please,  and  give  laws  and  govern 
ment  to  the  continent.  The  North  will  not  fight,  and  the 
South  will  have  an  easy  triumph."  "You  entirely  mis 
take  the  character  of  the  Northern  people,"  said  General 
Burnside.  "  They  will  fight.  They  never  will  allow  the 
Union  to  be  broken,  and  a  free  government  to  be  thus 
destroyed  without  a  contest.  If  you  persist  in  your  pur 
pose  of  secession  there  will  be  war,  a  bloody  and  cruel 
war.  Not  only  will  the  North  fight,  but  she  will  also  tri 
umph.  The  experiment  of  secession  will  fail,  and  the 
South,  in  ruin  and  desolation,  will  bitterly  repent  the  day 
when  she  attempted  to  overthrow  a  wise  and  beneficent 
government.  Why  do  you  seek  redress  for  what  you  call 
your  wrongs  in  civil  war?  The  first  gun  that  you  fire 
will  unite  us  all  —  whatever  our  political  opinions  may  be 
—  in  opposition  to  your  attempt.  The  government  will 
be  sustained,  and  you  will  suffer  a  disastrous  defeat." 

Rhode  Island — although  a  Democratic  State  at  that 
time  —  was  meanwhile  making  preparations  to  sustain  the 
Union,  should  it  be  assailed.  Governor  Sprague  had 
visited  Washington  in  February,  1861,  and  in  conversation 
with  President  Buchanan  and  Lieutenant-General  Scott, 
had  expressed  his  readiness  to  promptly  furnish  a  regi 
ment  of  infantry  and  a  battery  of  light  artillery,  should 
they  be  needed  for  the  defense  of  the  national  capital. 
On  his  return  to  Providence  the  governor  took  measures 
for  perfecting  the  drill  and  discipline  of  the  volunteer  mili 
tia  organizations  of  the  State,  some  of  which  had  been  in 
existence  prior  to  the  achievement  of  American  independ 
ence.  Maj.  William  Goddard  was  then  sent  to  Washing 
ton  to  renew  the  offer  of  volunteers,  but  the  old  hero  was 
powerless.  "  I  have  urged  again  and  again,"  said  he, 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BUltNSIDE.  gi 

"both  verbally  and  in  writing,  upon  the  President  (Mr. 
Buchanan)  and  upon  the  Secretary  of  War  (Governor 
Floyd),  that  I  might  be  permitted  to  concentrate  here 
troops  for  the  defense  of  the  capital,  but,  I  grieve  to  say, 
in  vain.  I  have  even  this  morning  written  to  the  Presi 
dent  that,  with  1,500  good  troops,  in  addition  to  those  now 
here,  I  would  undertake  to  hold  the  capital  against  any 
force  that  could  probably  be  brought  against  it  at  this 
time;  but,  alas,  I  can  make  no  impression  upon  him. 
The  President,  sir,  has  a  natural  dread  of  blood-shed,  and 
so  have  I.  But,  sir,  there  are  cases  in  which  a  little 
blood-letting  is  the  best,  the  only  remedy,  and  in  my  opin 
ion  this  is  one  of  those  cases.  I  have  thought  that,  taking 
into  account  the  reluctance  of  the  President  to  consent  to 
the  use  of  the  militia  of  the  states,  he  might  be  willing  to 
accept  the  services  of  the  New  York  Seventh  Regiment, 
which,  having  performed  some  services  of  a  national  char 
acter,  might  in  some  sense  be  regarded  as  a  national  regi 
ment,  which  could  be  used  without  exciting  the  prejudices 
of  which  both  he  and  the  Secretary  of  War  seem  in  appre 
hension.  But,  in  spite  of  all  my  solicitations,  I  meet  with 
nothing  but  refusals.  And  here  I  am  !  God  knows  how 
much  I  should  desire  the  aid  of  your  gallant  troops,  but  I 
am  powerless  !  The  inauguration  day  is  fast  approaching, 
and  I  have  but  a  handful  of  troops.  I  am  too  old  to 
mount  my  horse  again,  but  I  am  determined,  if  God  spares 
my  life,  to  ride  in  the  procession  with  Commodore  Stew 
art  ;  and  I  think,  Major,  our  gray  hairs  will  be  worth  a 
thousand  men  !" 


CHAPTER  IX. 


THE  BOMBARDMENT  OF  FORT  SUMTER  —  UPRISING  OF  THE  LOYAL 
NORTH  —  GENERAL  BURNSIDE  PROMPTLY.  RESPONDS  TO  THE 
CALL  — ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  FIRST  RHODE  ISLAND  REGI 
MENT—PRESENTATION  OF  A  FLAG— JOURNEY  TO  WASHING 
TON—BARRACK  AND  CAMP-LIFE. 

AT  last  the  crisis  came  !  Sumter  was  bombarded  by 
the  fratricidal  Southrons,  and  the  indomitable  en 
ergy  of  the  North  was  displayed  with  patriotic 
zeal.  Domestic  bonds,  political  alliances,  and  commer 
cial  ties  were  at  once  rent  asunder,  and  the  great  North 
ern  heart  swelled  with  fierce  indignation.  Each  section 
appeared  animated  with  the  same  earnest  convictions  of 
the  integrity  of  its  cause,  but  the  South  displayed  a  bitter 
animosity,  fanned  by  the  incendiary  speeches  of  her  leaders. 
The  attack  made  by  7, ooo  rebels  upon  the  seventy  worn- 
out  Union  soldiers  who  surrendered  Fort  Sumter  on  the 
nth  of  April,  1861,  was  followed,  four  days  later,  by 
President  Lincoln's  proclamation  convening  Congress,  and 
calling  forth  75,000  of  the  militia  "  to  maintain  the  honor, 
the  integrity,  and  the  existence  of  our  national  govern 
ment,  and  to  redress  wrongs  already  long  enough  en 
dured."  This  proclamation  was  flashed  by  electricity 
over  the  northern  states,  like  the  fiery  cross  of  Roderick 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE.  93 

Dhu,  which  summoned  Clan-Alpine  to  its  rendezvous, 
and  it  was  everywhere  received  with  the  beating  of  drums 
and  the  ringing  notes  of  the  bugle,  calling  the  Nation's 
defenders  to  their  colors.  Rhode  Island  was  ready  to 
furnish  her  quota  without  delay,  and  Governor  Sprague, 
in  looking  around  for  a  commander,  selected  General 
Burnside,  as  having  a  well-earned  reputation  for  bravery, 
military  ability  and  administrative  talents  of  a  high  order, 
with  a  patriotic  comprehension  of  the  situation. 

General  Burnside,  anticipating  a  call  from  the  Federal 
government  upon  those  who  had  been  educated  at  West 
Point  but  had  resigned  their  commissions,  to  again  draw 
their  swords  in  defense  of  the  Nation,  had  balanced  his 
books,  and  made  preparations  for  a  speedy  departure  if 
summoned  to  the  field.  When,  as  he  sat  in  the  New  York 
office  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  on  Monday,  the 
1 5th  of  April,  1861,  he  received  a  dispatch  from  Governor 
Sprague,  saying:  "A  regiment  of  Rhode  Island  troops 
will  go  to  Washington  this  week.  How  soon  can  you 
come  on  and  take  command?"  he  promptly  responded: 
"  At  once  !  "  Turning  his  books  over  to  his  clerk,  he  left 
that  night  for  Providence,  and  reported  for  duty  the  next 
morning. 

Commissioned  as  colonel  of  the  First  Regiment  oi 
Rhode  Island  Detached  Militia  on  the  i6th  of  April,  1861, 
he  immediately  appointed  his  staff,  and  commenced  the 
organization  and  equipment  of  his  command. 

General  —  now  Colonel  —  Burnside's  activity,  energy,  in 
dustry,  and  military  training  accomplished  wonders.  He 
superintended  the  manufacture  of  a  serviceable  uniform, 
consisting  of  a  dark  blue  blouse,  gray  trowsers,  broad- 
brimmed  felt  hats,  and  black  waist-belts.  He  had  the 
thick  scarlet  blanket  of  each  man  converted  into  a  Mexi- 


94  LIFE^   AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

canponc/io,  by  cutting  a  slit  in  the  centre  through  which 
the  head  could  be  put,  leaving  the  blanket  resting  as  a  cloak 
on  the  shoulders.  He  instructed  officers  and  drilled  en 
listed  men ;  he  was  quartermaster,  commissary,  farrier, 
and  surgeon,  and  his  promptness  electrified  not  only  the 
regiment,  but  the  entire  population  of  Rhode  Island. 

The  ladies  of  Providence  met  in  the  church-vestries  to 
aid  in  making  the  uniforms,  and  more  recruits  presented 
themselves  than  could  be  accepted  without  exceeding  the 
prescribed  number  of  men.  There  were  in  the  ranks 
several  young  gentlemen  possessing  large  fortunes,  and 
others  equally  fitted  by  nature  and  education  for  almost 
any  administrative  position,  with  a  large  number  of  skill 
ful  mechanics,  embracing  nearly  every  trade.  As  a 
whole,  this  regiment  of  the  Rhode  Island  Detached  Mili 
tia  was  a  noble  specimen  of  the  citizens  of  Rhode  Island, 
patriotic,  of  gentleman-like  deportment,  loyal,  and  eager 
to  distinguish  themselves  in  the  defense  of  their  country. 
As  was  sung  in  the  company  armories  : 

"  The  gallant  young  men  of  Rhode  Island 

Are  marching  in  haste  to  the  wars ; 
Full  girded  for  strife,  they  are  hazarding  life, 
In  defense  of  our  banner  and  stars." 

The  day  previous  to  the  departure  of  the  regiment,  the 
ladies  of  Providence  presented  to  it  a  national  flag,  made 
of  silk,  accompanied  by  the  following  letter  : 

To  the  First  Regiment  of  Rhode  Island  Volunteers, 

From  the  Ladies  of  Providence 

With  this  banner  Rhode  Island  places   her  honor  in  your  hands.      May 
God  protect  you  in  your  noble  cause.     God  save  the  Union  ! 

PROVIDENCE,  April  19,  1861. 

Colonel  Burnside,  on  the  receipt  of  the  flag,  addressed 
the  following  letter  to  those  who  had  presented  it : 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 


95 


THE  OUTBREAK  OF  THE  KEHELLION. 

Hn.\nqi  AKTKRS  RIIODK  ISLAND  MIMTIA. 
To  the  Ladies  of  Providence.  : 

I  know  the  soldiers  I  carry  away  will  prove  themselves  worthy  of  the 
beautiful  banner  presented  to  them  by  you. 

We  are  fully  impressed  with  the  fact  that  we  take  with  us  your  most 
fervent  prayers,  and  we  shall  constantly  feel  that  your  eyes  are  upon  us. 

God  grant  that  we  may  yet  see  the  Union  out  of  danger.  Bidding  you 
an  affectionate  farewell,  and  thanking  you  in  behalf  of  my  command  for 
your  kindness,  I  am  ever  yours, 

(Signed),  A.   E.   BURNSIDE, 

Colonel  First  Rfgiment  Detached  Militia. 

It  havino-  been  determined  to  send  away  one-half  of  the 

o  » 


96  LIFE  AXD   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

regiment  as  soon  as  it  could  be  uniformed  and  equipped, 
to  be  followed  by  the  other  half,  detachments  of  one-half 
of  each  company  paraded  on  Saturday  morning,  the  2Oth 
of  April,  and  Colonel  Burnside  formally  took  command. 
The  regiment  was  reviewed  by  Governor  Sprague,  and 
was  afterwards  eloquently  addressed  by  the  Rt.  Rev. 
Bishop  Clark,  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  who, 
on  the  conclusion  of  his  remarks,  offered  a  short  but  ear 
nest  prayer  in  behalf  of  the  brave  men  going  forth  to  aid 
in  subduing  the  rebellion.  That  afternoon  the  regiment 
left  Providence  on  a  steamer  amid  the  firing  of  cannon  and 
the  cheers  of  an  assembled  multitude. 

Arriving  at  New  York,  the  regiment  was  transferred  to 
the  government  transport,  ' '  Coatzocoalcos."  Colonel  Burn- 
side  was  called  upon  by  the  crowd  assembled  on  the  wharf 
to  make  a  speech,  but  all  that  he  could  be  finally  prevailed 
on  to  say  was.,  "  I'll  make  a  speech  when  I  come  back." 
The  transport  conveyed  the  regiment  to  Annapolis,  where 
it  arrived  on  the  afternoon  of  the  24th  of  April. 

The  Eighth  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  and  the  Seventh, 
or  National  Guard  Regiment,  of  New  York,  had  reached 
there  previously,  and  the  sturdy  mechanics  of  the  Massa 
chusetts  Eighth  had  reconstructed  the  disabled  railway 
between  Annapolis  and  the  Junction  ;  but  the  First  Rhode 
Island  Regiment,  which  reached  Washington  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  26th  of  April,  was  the  first  organization  that 
had  arrived  completely  uniformed,  armed,  and  supplied 
with  provisions  and  ammunition  for  a  three-weeks  cam 
paign. 

While  on  the  march  from  Annapolis  to  the  Junction,  the 
regiment  bivouacked,  and  had  just  prepared  its  first  camp- 
meal  when  the  New  York  Seventy-first  came  up,  tired  and 
hungry.  They  were  hospitably  entertained,  and  one  of 


GEN.    AMBROSE    E.    lil'I!  NS 1 1)E.  ^ 

their  number  celebrated  the  visit  in  a  song,  which  was 
afterwards  heard  before  many  a  camp-fire.  The  closing 
verses  of  this  song  will  give  an  idea  of  the  whole  : 

"The  Rhode  Island  boys  cheered  us  on  out  of  sight, 

After  giving  the  following  injunction  : 
'Just  keep  up  your  courage  —  you'll  get  there  to-night. 

For  'tis  only  nine  miles  to  the  Junction.' 

They  gave  us  hot  coffee,  a  grasp  of  the  hand. 

Which  cheer'd  and  refreshed  our  exhaustion. 
We  reached  in  six  hours  the  long-promised  land. 

For  'twas  only  nine  miles  to  the  Junction." 

Arriving  at  Washington  on  the  26th  of  April,  the  Rhode 
Island  regiment  was  temporarily  quartered  in  the  Patent 
Office,  where  bunks  were  erected  for  their  accommodation 
between  the  glass  cases  containing  models.  On  Sunday, 
the  28th,  religious  services  were  held  in  the  large  halls  of 
the  building,  where  many  spectators,  including  a  number 
oi  ladies,  were  present.  The  chaplain,  the  Rev.  Augustus 
Woodbury,  delivered  an  able  discourse,  taking  as  his  text 
the  third  verse  of  the  second  chapter  of  First  Timothy. 
After  the  sermon  the  whole  regiment  united  in  singing 
Old  Hundred,  accompanied  by  the  band.  The  effect  was 
inspiring  and  imposing. 

On  the  ist  of  May  a  large  American  Hag,  purchased  by 
the  clerks  in  the  Interior  Department,  was  raised  on  the 
south  front  of  the  Patent  Office.  The  Rhode  Island  regi 
ment  was  under  arms  in  the  street  facing  the  building,  and 
on  the  roof  of  the  portico  was  the  Washington  City  Rifle 
Corps*  At  noon  President  Lincoln,  accompanied  by  Sec 
retary  Seward  and  other  members  of  his  Cabinet,  appeared 
on  the  portico,  and  the  President  hoisted  the  flag  to  the 
top  of  the  staff*  where  the  breeze  at  once  displayed  its  fair 
proportions  amid  the  hearty  cheers  of  the  soldiers  and  ol 


og  LIFE    AND    ITl-iL/C    SER]'/CES    OF 

the  multitude.  Three  cheers  were  then  given  for  the 
President,  and  three  more  for  the  Secretary  of  State,  both 
of  whom  gracefully  but  silently  acknowledged  the  compli 
ments.  The  Rhode  Island  regiment  then  gave  nine  cheers 
for  the  stars  and  stripes,  and  were  drilled  in  the  manual 
by  Colonel  Burnside,  displaying  a  steadiness  and  unity  of 
movement  worthy  of  veterans.  Mr.  Lincoln  then  advanc 
ing  to  the  front,  the  regiment  presented  arms,  a  salute 
which  he  acknowledged  by  raising  his  hat.  He  had  in 
tended  to  address  the  regiment,  but  the  strong  wind  would 
have  prevented  their  hearing  him,  had  he  spoken. 

On  Thursday,  the  2d  of  May,  the  Rhode  Island  regiment 
marched  to  the  grounds  east  of  the  capilol,  where  they 
were  mustered  in  by  Major  McDowell,  then  connected 
with  the  Adjutant-General's  Department.  The  regiment 
was  formed  in  a  hollow  square,  and  the  American  flag 
was  brought  into  the  centre.  General  Thomas,  of  the  War 
Department,  who  was  the  magistrate  of  the  district,  read 
the  oath  of  fealty  to  the  men  on  each  side  of  the  square 
successively.  Each  man  then  raised  aloft  his  right  hand, 
and  swore  forever  to  sustain  his  country,  and  to  follow  her 
flag.  The  band  then  played  "The  Star  Spangled  Ban 
ner,"  and  the  last  beams  of  the  setting  sun  illuminated  the 
marble  statue  by  Crawford  of  the  "  Father  of  His  Country/' 

After  remaining  at  the  Patent  Office  a  fortnight,  the 
Rhode  Island  regiment  went  into  camp  on  the  farm  of 
Mr.  George  Keating,  about  two  miles  northeast  of  the  city. 
A  miniature  town  was  laid  out  on  the  slope  of  a  hill  which 
commanded  a  view  of  the  metropolis  in  all  its  strangling 
magnificence.  The  streets  which  intersected  it  were  named 
after  those  of  Providence,  and  temporary  edifices  were  con 
structed,  one-half  of  each  being  fitted  up  With  bunks  for  a 
dormitory,  while  the  other  half,  open  at  the  sides  like  the 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE. 


99 


porch  of  a  house,  formed  a  sitting-room  and  an  eating- 
room.  On  these  houses  were  signs  bearing  their  names, 
such  as  ••  Chateau  de  Burnside,"  "  Woodbury  Castle," 
"Aldrich  House,"  etc. 


ANNAPOLIS  JUNCTION. 

The  life  of  the  regiment  was  by  no  means  that  of  a  con 
tinuous  pleasure  excursion.  Rising  with  the  sun,  tin 
men  breakfasted  early,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  day  was 
occupied  in  fatiguing  drills.  Household — or  rather  bar- 
rackhold  —  duties  required  no  little  time,  and  it  was  a 
somewhat  amusing  sight  to  see  young  men  who  had  been 
well  bred,  busily  engaged  in  sweeping,  washing  dishes  and 
tin  cups,  or  mending  stockings.  All  this  was,  however, 
done  with  the  utmost  cheerfulness  and  good  humor.  Each 
small  structure  was  the  home  of  a  perfect  democracy, 
which  had  equality  and  fraternity  (if  not  always  liberty) 
as  its  watchword. 

Colonel  Burnside  proved  himself  to  be  "  the  right  man 
in  the  right  place,"  and  soon  won  the  love  and  the  respect 
of  his  command.  Many  of  the  men  who  had  always  lived 
in  luxury  found  it  a  novel  task  to  be  set  at  scrubbing 
floors,  cleaning  quarters,  or  brushing  musket-barrels,  but 
they  cheerfully  and  promptly  obeyed  their  colonel's  orders. 


IOO 


A//-7i    AND    I'UHLJC    SEKVJCES    OF 


He  had  to  look  alter  the  most  minute  matters  of  detail, 
and,  like  the  Barber  of  Seville,  ''he  was  here  —  he  was 
there  —  he  was  everywhere."  His  government  was  the 
autocracy  of  love,  sleepless  in  vigilance,  yet  not  oppres 
sive  in  discipline  ;  no  deviation  from  duty  escaped  his  eye, 
and  no  display  of  merit  passed  unnoticed.  His  foresight 
never  failed,  and  his  prudence  and  judgment  were  emi 
nently  displayed. 

While  the  red-shirted  New  York  Fire  Zouaves,  com 
manded  by  Colonel  Ellsworth,  created  some  consternation 
at  Washington  by  their  frolicsome  fights,  and  their  appro 
priation  of  eatables  and  drinkables,  with  an  impudent  re 
quest  that  the  bill  be  sent  to  Jeff  Davis,  at  Richmond,  the 
Rhode  Island  regiment  became  a  great  favorite  at  the 
national  capital.  Colonel  Burnside  and  his  officers  were 
invited  to  social  entertainments  given  by  leading  officials 
and  citizens,  and  their  encampment  was  a  fashionable 
resort  every  pleasant  afternoon.  President  Lincoln,  mem 
bers  of  the  diplomatic  corps,  congressmen,  and  officers  of 
other  regiments  were  frequent  spectators  o(  the  evening 
dress-parades,  with  their  line  music,  which  were  always 
closed  with  impressive  religious  exercises. 

On  the  loth  of  June  the  First  Rhode  Island  Regiment 
left  its  pleasant  quarters  to  join  General  Patterson's  com 
mand  in  a  demonstration  against  the  Confederate  forces 
then  occupying  Harper's  Ferry,  under  Gen.  Joe  Johnston. 
The  weather  was  warm  and  the  march  was  fatiguing,  but 
Colonel  Burnside  trudged  along  on  foot  with  the  men,  his 
colored  servant  leading  his  horse,  ready  for  him  to  mount 
if  the  emergency  required.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Woodbury,  ' 
the  chaplain  of  the  regiment,  said  afterwards  of  Colonel 
Burnside  : 

"  His  care  for  his  command.,  his   personal    supervision, 


GEN.    AMSKOSE   E.    13  Ult  \ 


lor 

and  his  readiness  to  share  in  the  burdens  of  the  humblest 
soldiers  were  very  remarkable.  Every  morning  he  visited 
the  hospital-tent,  to  see  that  the  sick  were  properly  at 
tended  to.  Every  evening  he  went  the  rounds  of  the 
camp  and  through  the  quarters,  to  see  that  all  was  as  it 


should  be  for  the  night.  His  discipline  was  strict,  and  he 
knew  how  to  rebuke  delinquencies.  But  the  men  loved 
him,  as  children  love  a  father.  For  they  knew  that,  while 
he  required  of  them  a  complete  obedience,  and  that  they 
would  not  be  spared  when  duty  was  to  be  done,  they  would 
not  be  harassed  and  worried.  They  looked  up  to  their 
commanding  officer  with  a  kind  of  filial  affection  and  de 
votion." 


IO2  GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 

Meanwhile  Colonel  Burnside's  hopes  of  securing  the 
adoption  of  his  breech-loading  rifle  were  renewed.  A 
company  was  formed  in  Providence  which  manufactured 
the  weapon,  using  a  variety  of  machines,  nicely  adjusted 
and  precisely  accurate  in  their  movements,  turning  out  the 
different  parts,  which  had  only  to  be  put  together  by  hand- 
A  company  of  sharp-shooters,  armed  with  this  weapon,  was 
formed  in  the  First  Rhode  Island  Regiment,  and  Colonel 
Burnside  had  thus  an  opportunity  of  witnessing  its  useful 
ness  in  actual  service. 

After  marching  to  and  fro  in  Maryland  the  regiment 
was  recalled  to  Washington  for  important  service,  and 
reoccupied  its  old  encampment  on  the  25th  of  June.  Offi 
cers  and  men  were  weather-bronzed  and  hardened  by  this 
brief  campaign,  and  the  veteran  appearance  of  the  regi 
ment  as  it  marched  down  Pennsylvania  Avenue  on  its 
return  prompted  a  camp-poet  to  record  its  praises  in  the 
following  words,  which  were  sung  that  night  by  the  vocal 
ists  of  the  different  regiments  then  at  the  national  capital : 

"  Of  all  the  true  host  that  New  England  can  boast, 

From  down  by  the  sea  unto  highland, 
No  state  is  more  true,  or  willing  to  do, 
Than  dear  little  Yankee  Rhode  Island! 
Loyal  and  true  Little  Rhody. — 
Bully  for  you.  Little  Rhody,— 
Governor  Sprague  was   not  very  vague. 
When  he  said  :   '  Shoulder  arms!  Little  Rhody.'"' 


<>£^ipp^ 


CHAPTER  X. 


CONCENTRATION  OF  CONFEDERATE  FORCES  AT  MAXASSAS— "ON  TO 
RICHMOND!  "  —  CAMP  SERVICES  — GENERAL  PATTERSON  CHECK 
MATED—WAR  HALLOONS  —  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  GRAND 
ARMY  OF  THE  UNION —  HURNSIDE'S  HRIGADE  —  ADVANCE  INTO 
VIRGINIA— CAPTURE  OF  FAIRFAX  COURT  MOUSE  —  POLITICAL 
ADVISERS. 

THE  Confederates  had  meanwhile  concentrated  their 
available  forces  at  Manassas,  a  gorge  through 
the  eastern  spur  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  through  which 
the  road  from  Washington  to  Richmond  passed.  It  took 
its  name  from  the  landlord  of  a  small  hotel  there,  who  was 
widely  known  and  much  esteemed  for  his  kind  heart  and 
good  cheer,  and  travelers  would  often  add  many  miles  to 
their  day's  journey,  that  they  might  spend  the  night  with 
"•  Old  Manassas."  It  was  a  commanding  position,  selected 
with  great  strategic  skill,  and  fortified  in  part  by  nature, 
the  plateau  being  equidistant  between  the  almost  impassa 
ble  heights  of  the  Blue  Ridge  on  the  one  hand,  and  the 
Potomac  on  the  other. 

Here  General  Beauregard,  who  was  a  skillful  engineer, 
constructed  a  line  of  earth-works  some  two  miles  in  length, 
with  angles,  salients,  bastions,  and  casemates.  On  the 
left  of  these  fortifications  were  the  head  waters  of  the  tortu- 


104  -LIFE  .LAV;  ri'iv.rc  SERVICES  OF 

ous  creek  known  as  Bull  Run,  with  wooded  banks,  which 
could  easily  be  made  impassable  by  the  felling  of  trees  ;— 
and  on  the  right  was  rolling  land  so  rough  and  rugged 
that  it  was  a  defense  in  itself.  Bull  Run  wound  its  way 
along  in  front  of  the  Confederates'  fortified  position,  be 
tween  steep  and  rocky  banks,  and  although  there  were 
several  long-used  fords,  they  were  only  known  to  the  Con 
federates.  The  position  was  carefully  selected,  and  the 
Confederates  waited  there  in  anxious  expectation  of  the 
arrival  of  the  Union  troops.  The}"  were  kept  informed  as 
to  what  transpired  at  Washington,  not  only  in  public, -but 
in  the  War  Department  and  the  military  committees  of 
Congress. 

President  Lincoln  and  the  members  of  his  administra 
tion  were,  meanwhile,  using  every  exertion  to  form  an 
army  which  would  overcome  the  Confederate  forces  known 
to  be  at  Manassas.  There  had  been  so  much  progress 
and  improvement  in  everything  in  the  science  of  war,  in 
the  comforts  of  the  soldier,  in  all  kinds  of  mechanical 
inventions,  in  the  mutual  courtesy  of  combatants,  and 
everything  else,  that  people  fancied  battles  would  be  fought 
as  cleanly  and  as  smoothly  as  a  game  of  chess,  or  a  sham 
fight  on  the  vacant  land  east  of  the  capitol.  The  only 
difficulty  was  to  see  how  the  war  would  be  decided.  Some 
thought  it  would  be  an  affair  of  tactics,  others  that  it  would 
be  a  question  of  improved  rifles,  or  of  long-range  artillery, 
and  there  were  those  who  believed  that  the  North,  with  its 
mechanical  and  scientific  resources,  would  win  an  easy 
victory,  and  bring  the  war  to  a  speedy  termination. 

Others,  at  the  North,  desired  the  abolition  of  slavery 
more  than  they  did  a  restoration  of  the  Union  with  that 
institution.  They  feared  a  compromise  and  a  reconcilia 
tion,  and  they  echoed  the  shout,  "On  to  Richmond!"  first 


GEA'.    AMBROSE   E.    IUrKNSIDE.  IO- 

raised  in    the    New  York    Tribune,   by  Mr.   Fitz    Henry 
Warren,  of  Iowa,  and  taken  up  over  the  entire  North. 

Colonel  Burnside  and  others  at  Washington  who  were 
versed  in  the  art  of  war,  endeavored  to  check  this  desire 
for  a  forced  movement.  They  knew  that  while  poets  may 
be  born,  soldiers  must  be  made,  and  that  it  remained  to  be 
seen  whether  they  would  be  manoeuvred  and  handled 
against  a  foe.  But  the  politicians  would  not  listen  to  the 
experienced  soldiers,  and  the  "  Grand  Army  of  the  Union" 
was  organized  for  an  advance  movement. 

The  camp  of  the  Rhode  Island  regiment  became  a 
favorite  resort,  and  its  chaplain,  the  Rev.  .Mr.  Woodbury, 
had  large  audiences  at  his  Sunday  services.  There  was 
a  martial  clang  in  the  preacher's  eloquence  that  consorted 
well  with  the  aspect  of  his  congregation,  the  larger  portion 
of  whom  were  in  uniform.  Like  a  modern  Peter  the 
Hermit,  he  preached  the  duty  of  righteous  war:  like  a 
sacred  Tyrtseus,  he  stirred  in  poetic  prose  the  manhood  of 
his  listeners.  Perhaps  the  fertility  and  freedom  of  his 
allusions  to  historical  battles  rather  reminded  them  of  the 
monotonous  labor  of  the  armorer  hammering  home  his 
rivets  with  reiterated  blows  ;  but  certainly  if  the  test  of 
an  effective  discourse  is  the  attention  of  the  audience,  it 
must  be  acknowledged  that  the  patriotic  preacher  harped 
on  the  heart-strings  of  those  whom  he  addressed. 

Meanwhile  it  was  believed  at  Washington  that  General 
Patterson  was  keeping  General  Johnston  in  check  at  Win 
chester,  that  he  might  not  join  General  Beauregard  when 
the  United  States  forces  advanced.  Patterson  had  written 
to  the  Secretary  of  War  ;  "  Give  me  the  means  of  success. 
You  have  the  means  —  place  them  at  my  disposal,  and 
shoot  me  if  I  do  not  use  them  to  advantage.''  Men  and 
supplies  were  furnir.hed.  but  Johnston  had  his  troops  in 


I06  LIFE   A.\D   PL'BLIC    SERVICES    OF 

such  position  that  on  the  first  notification  from  General 
Beauregard  he  quietly  started  for  Manassas,  while  Gen 
eral  Patterson  actually  began  on  the  same  day  to  march 
in  the  opposite  direction. 

It  is  now  known  that  General  Beauregard  was  kept  per 
fectly  well  informed  of  all  that  was  going  on  at  Washing 
ton,  and  of  the  intention  of  the  administration  to  have  the 
Union  troops  force  their  way  to  Richmond.  It  was  a 
most  critical  moment  for  the  Confederate  leaders,  for  if 
their  army  was  defeated  they  had  no  more  resources  for 
carrying  on  the  war  to  fall  back  upon  ;  besides,  if  the  South 
should  be  defeated,  there  could  be  no  hope  of  recognition 
from  any  European  power. 

Washington  presented  at  this  time  the  appearance  of  a 
vast  camp,  and  troops  were  quartered  in  nearly  all  of  the 
public  buildings.  The  capitol  was  crowded  with  armed 
men,  and  its  elegantly  adorned  and  furnished  committee- 
rooms  were  used  as  dormitories.  The  passages  of  the 
basement  were  filled  with  barrels  of  flour  and  pork,  and  a 
large  bakery  was  fitted  up  there,  which  supplied  all  the 
troops  in  and  around  the  city  with  bread. 

The  Rhode  Island  regiments  and  the  New  York  Seventh 
received  many  social  attentions,  although  a  large  majority 
of  the  residents  sympathized  more  or  less  with  secession, 
and  regarded  the  coming  contest  as  an  "  abolition  war." 
Beside  the  public  buildings,  but  few  houses  displayed  the 
stars  and  stripes,  and  rebel  spies  went  and  came  without 
molestation. 

Among  other  novel  munitions  of  war  sent  from  Rhode 
Island  for  the  use  of  the  regiments  from  that  State,  were 
two  balloons,  to  be  used  for  reconnoitering  purposes,  with 
a  skillful  aeronaut  to  manage  them.  Before  they  could  be 
used,  they  came  to  an  untimely  end.  One  collapsed  sud- 


(i  EN.    AM  Hit  OS  E   E.    BURNS  IDE. 


IO7 


denly  while  it  was  being  inflated,  and  the  other  got  away 
from  those  who  were  holding  it  by  ropes,  and  was  torn  to 
pieces.  Balloon  observations  were  not  then  a  success. 

Lieutenant-General  Scott 
retained  the 'direction  of  all 
military  movements,  and 
the  command  of  the 
44  Grand  Army  of  the  Un 
ion  "  was  entrusted  to  Gen 
eral  McDowell.  He  had 
distinguished  himself  at 
the  military  academv  at 
West  Point,  and  had  served 
gallantly  in  Mexico,  but  he 
was  destitute  of  experience 
in  the  handling  of  large 


GEN.    IRVIN    MCDOWELL. 


bodies  of  men. 

Colonel  Burnside  was  made  commander  of  the  Second 
Brigade,  in  the  Second  Division,  which  was  commanded 
by  Col.  David  Hunter,  of  the  Third  Cavalry.  Colonel 
Burnside's  brigade  embraced  the  First  and  Second  Rhode 
Island  regiments,  the  Seventy-first  New  York,  the  Second 
New  Hampshire,  and  the  second  battery  of  Rhode  Island 
Artillery.  As  was  the  case  in  the  other  brigades,  the 
troops  thus  brigaded  had  never  been  manoeuvred  together, 
nor  had  their  commander  any  personal  knowledge  of  many 
of  the  officers  or  men.  But  the  politicians  at  Washington 
insisted  upon  an  immediate  advance.  They  saw  with  ad 
miration  the  gallant  appearance  of  the  different  regiments 
that  were  to  compose  the  advancing  column,  and  they 
could  not  but  believe  that  it  would  be  gloriously  success 
ful. 

At  length,  on  Tuesday,  the  i6th  of  July,  1861,  General 


I08  LIFE   AND   PirBLlC    SERVICES    OF 

Scott  ordered  General  McDowell  to  move  forward,  towards 
Richmond.  The  troops  began  at  an  early  hour  to  prepare 
for  the  march,  taking  three  days'  cooked  rations,  ammuni 
tion,  and  rubber-blankets,  but  leaving  their  knapsacks 
behind.  The  effect  of  the  column,  as  it  passed  across  the 
long  bridge  over  the  Potomac  into  Virginia,  was  imposing. 
The  rays  of  the  afternoon  sun  glistened  on  forests  of  glit 
tering  steel,  as  wave  after  wave  of  armed  men  was  swept 
along  by  the  torrent  of  war,  with  bands  playing  martial 
airs,  and  flags  fluttering  in  the  breeze. 

Colonel  Burnside  was  loaded  down  with  bouquets  as  he 
rode  at  the  head  of  his  improvised  brigade,  giving  and 
receiving  hearty  cheers.  Crossing  the  Potomac,  the  col 
umn  advanced  unmolested  into  Virginia,  and  bivouacked 
that  night  at  Annandale.  Each  regiment  stacked  arms, 
and  occupied  the  space  behind  its  line.  Camp-fires  were 
soon  lighted,  coffee  was  made,  and  the  rations  of  cooked 
meat  and  hard-tack  were  enjoyed.  Canteens  were  filled 
with  water  at  the  nearest  wells,  pipes  were  lighted,  and 
miniature  councils  of  war  were  held,  to  discuss  the  situa 
tion  and  the  probabilities  of  success.  Long  before  "taps" 
nearly  every  tired  soldier  had  gone  to  sleep,  and  from 
the  dim  light  of  each  smouldering  fire  radiated  grave-like 
mounds  of  slumbering  men,  each  shrouded  in  a  blanket. 

Before  '•  reveille"  was  sounded,  the  bivouac  was  astir. 
The  fires  were  replenished,  coffee  was  made,  guns  and 
equipments  were  cleaned,  staff-officers  and  orderlies  rode 
to  and  fro,  and  soon  after  sunrise  the  well-known  strains 
of  the  "assembly"  summoned  every  officer  and  man  to  his 
colors. 

Marching  along  the  Leesburg  turnpike  towards  Fairfax 
Court  House,  the  column,  headed  by  Colonel  Burnside's 
brigade,  proceeded  unmolested  until  within  about  a  mile  of 


the  town.  Here,  earth-works  had  been  thrown  up  across 
the  turnpike,  with  embrasures  for  three  guns,  and  in  front 
of  them  trees  had  been  felled  to  obstruct  the  advance. 
But  none  of  the  enemy  were  to  be  found,  although  unex- 
tinguished  camp-fires  and  the  feed-bags  of  horses  showed 
that  about  two  hundred  men,  with  three  pieces  of  artillery, 
had  passed  the  night  there.  On  the  approach  of  the 
Union  troops  they  had  made  a  precipitate  retreat,  leaving 
fresh  meat,  cooking  utensils,  entrenching  tools,  and  some 
knapsacks. 

While  the  pioneers  were  clearing  the  turnpike  of  the 
fallen  trees,  three  men  —  two  Rhode  Island  skirmishers 
and  a  correspondent  —  pushed  on  into  the  town,  and  found 
it  deserted.  Soon  afterwards,  the  column  marched  into 
the  main  street,  the  men  cheering  for  the  Union,  and  the 
bands  playing  the  "  Star  Spangled  Banner."  The  Confed 
erate  flag  on  the  court  house  was  hauled  down,  and  the 
national  ensign  hoisted  in  its  place. 

Colonel  Burnside,  on  rinding  the  town  evacuated  by  the 
Confederates,  ordered  a  detachment  of  cavalry  which  had 
been  added  to  his  brigade  to  pursue  the  retreating  foe. 
They  galloped  after  them,  but  the  weather  was  very  hot, 
and  as  the  infantry  could  not  come  up,  the  pursuit  was 
discontinued,  and  the  brigade  bivouacked  at  Centreville. 

This  bloodless  victory,  resulting  in  the  capture  of  a  vil 
lage  garrisoned  by  Confederates  without  the  firing  of  a 
gun,  was  telegraphed  over  the  northern  states  as  the  glo 
rious  initial  victory  of  a  successful  campaign.  Those  who 
had  advocated  the  "On  to  Richmond "  policy  were  jubi 
lant,  and  they  predicted  that  the  "  Grand  Army  of  the 
Union  "  would  occupy  Richmond  within  a  week.  Colonel 
Burnside,  with  other  experienced  officers  who  were  versed 
in  the  art  of  war,  thought  difterentlv,  and  had  grave  appre- 


IIO  LIFE   AND   Pl'BLfC   SERVICES    OF 

hensions  that  they  were  being  entrapped  in  a  position  from 
which  escape  would  be  difficult. 

An  attempt  by  another  column  to  cross  Bull  Run  at 
Blackburn's  ford  was  unsuccessful,  as  it  was  successfully 
defended  by  General  Longstreet's  brigade.  General 
McDowell,  finding  that  the  enemy's  works  could  not  be 
carried  by  assault,  concentrated  the  Union  troops  the  next 
day  at  Centreville,  and  then,  following  advice  received 
from  General  Scott,  he  determined  to  make  a  flank  move 
ment,  pass  around  the  fortified  fords  of  Bull  Run,  and 
attack  the  enemy  at  Manassas. 

Colonel  Burnside,  in  a  brief  speech  which  he  made  at  a 
public  reception  given  him  by  the  citizens  of  Providence 
on  his  return  there,  expressed  his  unreserved  opinion  that 
the  advance  on  Manassas  should  not  have  been  made 
when  it  was.  "I  called  upon  General  McDowell,"  said 
he,  "and  expressed  my  dissent  to  the  policy  of  fighting 
the  enemy  at  that  time.  Senator  Wilson  was  present,  and 
looked  at  me  when  I  made  the  remark  as  though  I  was  a 
coward.  General  McDowell  said,  '  If  I  do  not  fight  them 
to-morrow  I  cannot  do  it  in  six  months.'  '  Better,'  said  I, 
k  wait  that  time  than  hazard  a  battle  now.'  General  Mc 
Dowell  invited  a  meeting  of  officers  at  his  headquarters  on 
the  night  before  the  battle,  but  he  (McDowell)  was  not 
present  until  ten  o'clock,  and  then  nothing  was  to  be  heard 
but  the  reception  of  orders  for  the  following  day." 

The  baneful  influence  of  politicians  in  the  war  was  then 
for  the  first  time  manifested,  destroying  not  only  the  use 
fulness  but  the  reputations  of  some  of  the  best  generals  of 
the  Union  army,  and  putting  the  very  life  of  the  Republic 
in  jeopardy.  Accomplished  officers,  like  Colonel  Burn- 
side,  who  had  energetically  aided  in  building  up  an  army, 
were  powerless  before  a  lot  of  politicians,  who  had  never 


GEN.    AMR  ROSE    E.    BURNSIDB. 


Ill 


conferred  any  blessing  on  the  country  before  the  war,  and 
who  never  after  the  declaration  of  hostilities  proposed  to 
take  a  musket  and  march  against  the  enemy,  although  a 
few  of  them  raised  regiments,  which  they  gallantly  led  to 
Washington,  and  then  turned  over  to  the  command  of  sub 
ordinates.  It  was  these  politicians  who  had  besieged 
General  Scott  at  Washington,  and  who  had  insisted  on  his 
ordering  General  McDowell  to  move,  via  Manassas,  "  On 
to  Richmond." 


CHAPTER  XL 


COMMANDS  A  15KIGAUE  -THK  BATTLK  Of  BL'I.L  KUX  —  GALLANTK V 
OF  THK  KHODK  ISLAND  TROOPS  STOXEWALL  JACKSON  NAMED 
—  AN  AIITILLEKV  DLTEL  —  CONKEDRR ATE  REINFORCEMENTS  — 
PANIC.  KKTKKAT,  AND  HOLT. 

EFORE  da}',  on  the  morning  of  Sunday,  July  21, 
1861,  the  "Grand  Army  of  the  Union"  began  to 
move  forward,  and  soon  the  continued  rumble  of 
the  artillerv  wheels  and  the  measured  tread  of  masses  of 
men  were  heard,  as  they  moved  along,  apparently  as 
resistless  as  the  sweep  of  destiny.  There  was  not  in  that 
mightv  host  a  more  gallant  brigade  than  that  which  was 
commanded  by  Colonel  Burnside,  and  he  was,  physically 
and  mentally,  a  model  leader.  Possessing  a  West  Point 
training,  well  versed  in  the  art  of  war,  and  familiar  with 
the  details  of  armv  routine,  he  had  a  tall  and  robust  frame, 
buoyancy  of  manner,  and  a  spirit  of  perpetual  elasticity, 
with  a  desire  to  soften  the  rigors  of  martial  law.  He  wore 
the  blue  blouse  which  had  been  adopted  as  the  uniform  of 
his  Rhode  Island  regiment,  with  a  broad-brimmed  Kos- 
suth  hat,  and  when  mounted  on  his  favorite  horse,  "Ma 
jor,"  it  was  evident  that  the  saddle  was  to  him  a  familiar 
seat. 


(,/i.V.    AMBROSE   ]•;.    /i(  7i'.\ 'SI !)!•:.  T  j -, 

The  sun  rose  in  a  cloudless  sky,  and  the  scene  became  an 
extraordinary  one,  as  the  advancing  columns  of  Union  sol 
diers,  with  their  glistening  bayonets  and  gay  flags,  moved 
through  the  primeval  forests  of  the  Old  Dominion.  Mean 
while  there  arrived  from  Washington  at  the  headquarters 
in  the  rear,  a  crowd  of  spectators,  consisting  of  members 
of  Congress,  correspondents,  contractors,  and  camp-fol 
lowers,  with  a  number  of  ladies,  who  came  in  a  variety  of 
vehicles  to  witness  the  fight,  as  they  would  have  gone  to 
see  a  horse-race,  or  to  witness  a  Fourth  of  July  procession. 
Some  oi  them  holding  official  positions  did  not  hesitate  to 
intrude  themselves  upon  General  McDowell,  and  to  offer 
him  their  advice.  Others,  unpacking  baskets  of  provis 
ions,  enjoyed  their  lunch  after  the  cannonading  showed 
that  the  action  had  commenced. 

General  McDowell  having  abandoned  General  Scott's 
original  plan  of  carrying  Manassas  by  a  direct  assault,  had 
determined,  with  the  approval  of  those  in  authority  at 
Washington,  to  endeavor  to  turn  the  left  flank  of  the 
enemy.  He  was  not  aware  that  Johnston  was  joining 
Beauregard,  and  he  sent  a  strong  detachment  towards 
Gainesville  to  prevent  such  a  union.  There  were  live 
different  fords  across  Bull  Run,  each  one  defended  by 
Confederate  batteries,  with  their  supporting  bodies  of  in 
fantry.  McDowell  ordered  General  Tyler  with  a  heavy 
force  to  advance  on  the  direct  line  by  the  turnpike  towards 
Manassas,  and  make  a  feigned  attack  on  the  works  which 
defended  the  stone  bridge  :  meanwhile  Colonel  Hunter's 
division  was  to  start  before  davhght  and  make  a  flank 

~  O 

movement  through  the  woods  to  Sudley  ford,  where  there 
were  no  defenses.  Crossing  Bull  Run  at  that  point,  Hun 
ter  was  to  move  down  the  opposite  bank  of  the  stream  to 
the  Red-house  ford,  where  he  would  secure  the  passage 


LIFE   AM)   JT/JL/C    ,SYiYi'  I  'ICES    Or 

of  Heintzelman's  division.  The  two  divisions  would  then 
move  jointly  down  to  the  stone  bridge,  where  they  would 
secure  the  crossing  of  Tyler's  division,  and  enable  him  to 
cross  and  join  in  the  combined  attack  on  Manassas. 

Hunter's  division  moved  forward  towards  Sudley  ford  at 
an  early  hour,  but  was  delayed,  and  did  not  reach  there 
until  half-past  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  nearly  four 
hours  behind  time.  When  Burnside's  brigade,  which 
headed  the  column,  had  reached  the  ford  and  began  to 
cross,  a  column  of  the  enemy  made  its  appearance  to  resist 
them.  Colonel  Burnside  ordered  Colonel  Slocum,  of  the 
Second  Rhode  Island  Regiment,  to  throw  out  skirmishers, 
and  to  support  them  with  his  regiment,  accompanied  by 
its  battery  of  six  thirteen-pound  rifle-guns.  Advancing 
until  an  open  field  was  reached,  a  spirited  engagement  was 
commenced,  and  for  a  short  time  Burnside's  brigade  had 
to  sustain  the  shock,  engaging  Wheat's  Louisiana  Bat 
tery,  Sloane's  South  Carolina  Regiment,  and  Bee's  Geor 
gia  and  Mississippi  Brigade.  Soon  after  the  firing  com 
menced  Colonel  Burnside  was  ordered  by  General  Hun 
ter,  who  was  leaving  the  field  severely  wounded,  to  as 
sume  command  of  that  portion  of  the  division  in  presence 
of  the  enemy.  Finding  that  the  Second  Rhode  Island 
Regiment  was  closely  pressed  by  the  enemy,  Colonel 
Burnside  ordered  the  Seventy-first  New  York  and  the 
Second  New  Hampshire  to  advance,  intending  to  hold 
the  First  Rhode  Island  in  reserve,  but  owing  to  delay 
in  the  formation  of  the  two  first-named  regiments,  the 
First  Rhode  Island  was  at  once  ordered  on  the  field  of 
battle,  and  bore  the  brunt  of  the  contest. 

The  Rhode  Island  men  then  showed  by  their  gallantry 
and  coolness  that  their  colonel's  labors  had  produced  the 
finest  results.  Major  Balch,  who  was  in  command,  gal- 


GEA'.    AMBROSE    /s.    JiUlt \SIDE. 


J  I 


lantly  led  the  regiment  into  action,  where  it  performed 
efficient  service  in  assisting  its  comrades  to  repel  the  attack 
of  the  enemy's  forces.  The  Second  Rhode  Island  had, 
with  the  dogged  courage  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  race,  bravely 


.MAT    OF   THE    BULL     KUN     UATTI.E-FIF.LD. 


stood  its  ground,  eventually  compelling  the  enemy  to  give 
way.  At  this  time  Colonel  Slocum  fell,  mortally  wounded, 
and  soon  after,  Major  Ballon  was  very  seriously  injured  by 
a  cannon-ball  that  killed  his  horse  and  crushed  one  of  his 
legs.  Yet  the  Second  Regiment,  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Wheaton,  continued  gallantly  to  hold 
its  position,  and  the  enemy  fell  before  its  deadlv  fire,  like 
leaves  in  the  autumn. 

Colonel  Martin,  of  the  Seventy-first  New  York  Regi 
ment,  next  led  his  men  into  action,  and  planting  his  two 
howitzers  upon  the  right  of  his  line,  had  them  effectually 
worked  against  the  enemy's  troops.  The  battery  of  the 


Il6  LI  PR    AX  I)    ri'BLIC    SERVICES    OF 

Second  Rhode  Island  Regiment,  on  a  knoll  upon  the  ex 
treme  right,  soon  succeeded  in  silencing  the  heavy  masked 
battery  of  the  enemy  in  front,  occasionally  throwing  in 
shot  and  shell  upon  the  enemy's  infantry,  six  regiments  of 
which  were  attempting  to  force  Colonel  Burnside's  position. 
The  Second  New  Hampshire  Regiment,  Colonel  Marston, 
then  brought  into  the  field,  rendered  great  service,  and  the 
whole  brigade  pouring  in  a  destructive  fire,  compelled  the 
enemy  to  retreat.  Heintzelman's  division,  with  Ricketts' 
superior  light  battery  of  six  ten-pounder  rifle-guns,  was 
equally  successful,  and  Sherman's  brigade,  also  crossing 
Bull  Run,  participated  in  the  fierce  and  destructive  con 
flict.  The  shattered  Confederate  battalions  were  forced  to 
retreat  under  a  deadly  fire,  and  the  prospect  of  a  Union 
victory  appeared  certain.  The  news  was  carried  to  the 
rear,  and  soon  the  telegraph  had  flashed  the  intelligence 
through  the  entire  North  that  the  Federal  troops  were 
winning  a  glorious  victory. 

At  noon  the  scene  of  the  battle,  as  described  by  eye 
witnesses,  was  unutterably  sublime.  The  unceasing  roar 
of  artillery  echoed  far  and  wide,  like  protracted  peals  of 
thunder,  and  for  upwards  of  a  mile  the  Virginia  side  of  the 
Bull  Run  valley  was  like  a  boiling  crater,  from  which 
arose  dense  clouds  of  dust  and  smoke.  Then  it  was  that 
the  advance-guard  of  Gen.  Joe  Johnston  arrived,  with  the 
force  which  General  Patterson  had  failed  to  hold  in  check. 
Among  the  first  reinforcements  was  the  Virginia  Brigade, 
composed  of  five  regiments,  and  commanded  by  General 
Jackson.  General  Beauregard,  well-nigh  overwhelmed, 
greeted  General  Jackson  with  the  pathetic  exclamation, 
"•  General,  they  are  beating  us  back,"  to  which  the  latter 
promptly  replied:  "Sir,  we'll  give  them  the  bayonet." 
General  Beauregard  immediately  rallied  his  over-tasked 


fr7i\V,    J.l/A'/.'O.V/i    /;.     /,'  C /,'.  \'.S  IDK. 

troops  with  the  words  :  "  There  is  Jackson,  standing  like 
a  stone-wall  ;  let  us  determine  to  die  here,  and  we  will 
conquer."  From  that  day  General  Jackson  was  known  by 
the  soldiers  on  both  sides  as  "  Stonewall  Jackson." 

About  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  General  Beauregard 
gave  the  order  for  the  right  of  his  line  to  advance  and 
recover  the  plateau  from  which  they  had  been  driven. 
This  was  done  with  great  bravery,  and  at  the  same  time 
Jackson's  brigade  pierced  the  Union  lines  with  the  deter 
mination  of  veterans.  The  fresh  reinforcements  came  up, 
and  the  fighting  on  the  plateau  was  desperate.  The 
cleared  land  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Henry  House  was  the 
scene  of  an  artillery  duel.  On  one  side  were  the  Union 
batteries,  commanded  by  Ricketts  and  Griffin,  and  on  the 
other,  thirteen  Confederate  guns  poured  forth  grape  and 
canister.  Suddenly  Griffin  saw  a  regiment  advancing 
from  the  woods  towards  his  batterv,  and  was  about  to  open 
fire  upon  them,  when  he  was  told  bv  Major  Barry  that 
they  were  coming  to  support  him.  '•  But  I  think  they  are 
Confederates,"  replied  Griffin.  "  as  certain  as  the  world, 
they  are  Confederates.''  "No:"  answered  Barry,  '•  I 
know  they  are  coming  to  support  you."  Griffin  hastened 
to  his  pieces  and  told  the  officers  in  command  not  to  fire. 
Had  they  fired  at  that  moment  it  would  have  almost  anni 
hilated  the  advancing  regiment.  But  the  tables  were 
turned,  and  the  next  moment  the  regiment  fired  a  voile}'  at 
the  batteries  which  killed  or  wounded  nearly  every  officer 
and  man.  The  frightened  horses,  deprived  of  their  riders, 
started  down  the  hill  on  a  full  run  with  the  caissons,  scat 
tering  the  advancing  troops. 

The  regiment  of  New  York  Zouaves,  which  had  been 
ordered  to  support  the  battery,  was  seized  with  a  panic, 
and  fled  in  wild  disorder.  Words  and  threats  were  un- 


IlS  LIFE   AND    Pl'IiLIC    SERVICES    OF 

availing  in  stopping  men  who  had  lost  all  presence  of 
mind,  and  only  longed  for  absence  of  body.  A  desperate 
contest  then  took  place  for  the  possession  of  the  guns  of 
these  disabled  batteries.  Three  successive  times  did  the 
rebels  capture  them,  and  three  successive  times  the  bat 
teries  were  recovered,  to  be  again  lost.  Regiment  after 
regiment  was  sent  into  the  fight,  and  the  Union  troops, 
finally  recovering  their  ground  and  their  guns,  renewed 
the  offensive.  Several  of  the  Confederate  regiments  were 
almost  annihilated.  On  either  side  soldiers  no  longer  rec 
ognized  their  officers,  nor  the  officers  their  men,  and  it 
was  scarcely'  possible  to  procure  any  obedience  to  orders. 

By  this  time  it  was  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and 
the  Union  troops  had  been  on  duty  since  two  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  much  of  the  time  on  the  march  or  in  action. 
Three  days'  provisions  had  been  served  out  to  them  the 
night  before,  but  many  had  thrown  them  away  on  the 
march  or  during  the  battle,  and  were  without  food.  Just 
then  it  became  known  to  the  Confederates  that  they  had 
been  reinforced  by  Johnston's  army,  while  the  presence 
of  Jefferson  Davis,  the  President  of  the  Confederacy,  in 
spired  them  with  fresh  courage.  The  rebel  sharp-shooters, 
occupying  the  woods,  opened  a  deadly  fire  on  the  Union 
regiments,  and  Steuart's  cavalry  brigade,  sweeping  to  and 
fro,  cut  down  hundreds  of  stragglers.  The  panic  became 
general,  and  disorder  soon  degenerated  into  a  retreat. 

"  Finding,"  said  General  McDowell  in  his  official  re 
port,  "  that  this  state  of  affairs  was  beyond  the  efforts  of 
all  those  who  had  assisted  so  faithfully  during  the  long 
and  hard  day's  work  in  gaining  almost  the  object  of  our 
wishes,  and  that  nothing  remained  on  the  field  but  to  rec 
ognize  what  we  could  no  longer  prevent,  I  gave  the  nec 
essary  orders  to  protect  their  withdrawal,  begging  the  men 


Ci/L.V.    AMfl/tOSE    /•:.    BURNSIDE. 

to  form  \\\  line,  and  offer  the  appearance,  at  least,  of  or 
ganization.  They  returned  by  the  fords  to  the  Warren- 
ton  road,  protected,  by  my  order,  by  Colonel  Porter's  force 
of  regulars.  Once  on  the  road,  and  the  different  corps 
coming  together  in  small  parties,  many  without  officers, 
they  became  intermingled,  and  all  organization  was  lost." 

Colonel  Burnside's  brigade  encountered  the  enemy's  fire 
for  four  hours,  receiving  crashing  volleys  of  grape-shot 
and  musketry,  and  sustaining  a  loss  of  123  killed  and  236 
wounded.  Relieved  by  Colonel  Sherman's  brigade,  Burn- 
side's  men  were  withdrawn  from  the  front,  to  rest  and  to 
receive  a  fresh  supply  of  ammunition  preparatory  to  orders 
for  another  advance.  But  the  order  was  not  to  advance  — 
but  to  "  cover  the  retreat  on  Centreville,"  and  stragglers 
began  to  pass  to  the  rear  in  great  numbers.  Once  in 
retreat,  the  regiments  became  uncontrollable  masses  of 
men,  and  there  was  an  individual  stampede  for  safety. 

When  the  first  rush  of  fugitives  had  passed,  Colonel 
Burnside,  who  had  kept  his  brigade  together,  formed  in 
column  and  retired  in  comparatively  good  condition,  Rey 
nolds'  and  Arnold's  batteries  of  artillery  and  Armstrong's 
company  of  regular  dragoons  bringing  up  the  rear.  The 
retreat  of  the  brigade  continued  in  tolerably  good  order 
until  a  bridge  was  reached  over  a  little  stream  called  Cub 
Run,  which  was  commanded  by  a  Confederate  light  bat 
tery,  making  it  necessary  for  the  retreating  Union  force  to 
cross  the  bridge  under  fire.  "The  enemy  opened  fire,'' 
says  Burnside's  report,  "upon  the  retreating  mass  of  men. 
Upon  the  bridge  crossing  Cub  Run,  a  shot  took  effect 
upon  the  horses  of  a  team  that  was  crossing.  The  wagon 
was  overturned  directly  in  the  centre  of  the  bridge,  and 
the  passage  was  completely  obstructed.  The  enemy  con 
tinued  to  play  his  artillery  upon  the  train,  carriages. 


I2o  (iE.Y.    AMBROSE   E.    BUR XS IDE. 

ambulances,  and  artillery  wagons  that  filled  up  the  road, 
and  these  were  reduced  to  ruin.  The  artillery  could  not 
possibly  pass,  and  five  pieces  of  the  Rhode  Island  battery, 
which  had  been  safely  brought  oft'  the  field,  were  here 
lost/' 

The  guns  of  two  other  Union  batteries  were  also  lost  in 
the  retreat.  Indeed,  only  the  batteries  of  Griffin  and 
Ricketts  were  lost  in  the  main  battle.  The  retreat  became 
a  rout,  and  Colonel  Burnside,  seeing  that  his  brigade 
could  not  cross  the  bridge,  ordered  the  men  to  ford  the 
creek  and  rally  at  Ce.ntreville.  While  his  command  moved 
there  with  little  demoralization,  others  fled  panic-stricken 
in  a  disorderly  rout.  Army-wagons,  hacks  containing 
spectators  of  the  affray,  correspondents  on  horseback,  and 
sutlers'  teams  choked  the  road,  amid  clouds  of  dust  and 
crowds  of  horror-stricken  fugitives.  But  it  is  very  evident 
that  an  account  of  this  retreat  written  by  the  correspond 
ent  of  the  London  Times  was  greatly  exaggerated.  The 
terrified  Briton  evidently  "drew" on  his  imagination  for  his 
facts." 

Colonel  Burnside's  brigade  found  at  Centreville  the  biv 
ouacs  which  they  had  left  in  the  morning,  and  were  pre 
paring  to  pass  the  night  there,  when  orders  were  received 
from  General  McDowell  to  move  on  to  Washington. 
Marching  all  night,  with  occasional  halts,  the  brigade 
reached  Washington  early  on  the  morning  of  July  22,  and 
the  Rhode  Island  regiments  were  back  in  their  old  camp 
at  nine  o'clock. 

It  was  well  said  of  Colonel  Burnside  that  his  bearing  in 
all  the  experiences  of  the  day  and  night,  the  battle  and 
the  march,  was  all  that  could  be  expected  of  a  man  and  a 
soldier,  and  he  at  once  attracted  the  attention  of  the  coun- 
trv  to  his  gallantry,  generalship,  and  skill. 


CHAPTER   XII. 


THE  LESSON*  OF  BULL  RUN  — RETURN  OF  THE  FIRST  RHODE  ISLAND 
REGIMENT  — APPOINTMENT  AS  BRIGA*DIER-GENERAL— ORGANI 
ZATION  OF  THE  COAST  DIVISION —DEPARTURE  OF  THE  ARMA 
DA—TERRIFIC  GALE  OFF  HATTERAS— LANDING  ON  ROANOK.E 

ISLAND. 

•^  T  ~MiE  battle  of  Bull  Run  was  a  severe  rebuke  to  the 
politicians  who  had  forced  it,  while  it  displayed 
JL  the  superior  military  skill  and  scientific  strategy 
of  the  Confederate  leaders.  The  Union  officers,  obeying 
orders,  hurled  their  undisciplined  forces  into  the  fight,  as 
though  muscle  and  the  musket  could  decide  the  day.  The 
Confederate  officers  economized  their  forces,  avoided  any 
needless  exposure  of  the  men,  utilized  their  artillery,  and 
compensated  for  weakness  of  battalions  by  strength  of 
position.  But  the  Union  troops  fought  like  veterans, 
marching  gallantly  into  the  concentrated  batteries,  and 
loading  and  firing  under  fire  with  the  precision  of  veter 
ans.  Volunteers  never  displayed  more  bravery,  and  but 
for  the  loss  of  some  officers,  and  the  cowardice  of  others, 
the  ignorance  of  the  roads,  and  the  want  of  rally  ing-points, 
the  retreat  —  unexpected,  as  it  was  disastrous  —  would  have 
been  avoided.  The  Confederates  found  themselves  in  no 
condition  to  follow  up  the  victory  which  they  had  gained, 
and  to  press  on  to  Washington. 


122 


Lin-:  AXD  j'i:vL/c  s  EH  \-JCEX  or 


Resuming  the  command  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  Regi 
ment,  Colonel  Burnside  tendered  its  services  to  President 
Lincoln,  its  term  of  service  having  expired  on  the  Satur 
day  previous  to  the  battle.  His  officers  and  men  shared 

in  his  desire  to  remain 
so  long  as  the  capital 
was  in  danger,  but  when 
it  was  evident  that  the 
Confederates  did  not  pro 
pose  to  move  on  Wash 
ington,  the  three-months 
regiments  were  all  or 
dered  to  their  respective 
states,  where  three-years 
regiments  were  being  re 
cruited.  President  Lin 
coln  and  Secretary  Sew- 
ard  rode  out  to  the  camp 
on  the  day  following  the 

return  of  the  regiment,  to  personally  compliment  General 
Burnside,  and  to  speak  words  of  encouragement  to  the 
men. 

On  the  night  of  the  25th  of  July,  the  First  Rhode  Island 
Regiment  broke  camp  and  started  for  Providence,  where 
it  arrived  on  Sunday  morning,  the  28th.  Addresses  of 
welcome  and  of  congratulation  were  delivered  by  Lieuten- 
ant-Governor  Arnold  and  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Clark,  and 
on  the  2d  of  August,  1861,  the  officers  and  men  were  mus 
tered  out  of  service.  The  General  Assembly  of  Rhode 
Island  voted  its  thanks  to  the  regiment  and  to  Colonel 
Burnside,  and  Brown  University,  at  its  Commencement  in 
September,  honored  him  with  the  degree  of  Master  of 
Arts. 


COM.    I..    M.    GOLDSBOROUGII. 


GEN.    A. VHROSE   E.    BURNSIDE.  I2o 

President  Lincoln  recognized  the  ability  of  General 
Burnside  by  appointing  him  a  brigadier-general  of  United 
States  Volunteers,  his  commission  dating  Aug.  6,  1861. 
He  immediately  reported  at  Washington,  where  he  was 
placed  in  command  of  a  provisional  brigade.  The  three- 
years  regiments,  which  began  to  assemble  at  the  national 
capital,  reporting  on  their  arrival  to  him,  were  assigned 
places  of  encampment,  carefullv  inspected,  and  supplied 
with  all  necessary  articles  of  equipment.  Great  attention 
was  paid  to  drill  and  discipline,  and  when  General  Mc- 
Clellan  arrived,  he  found  that  the  organization  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  had  been  commenced. 

The  administration  of  President  Lincoln  displayed  a 
remarkable  energy  in  raising  money  and  men,  and  in 
organizing  armies  which  were  to  act  in  different  sections 
of  the  country.  Several  expeditions  were  projected  against 
Southern  sea-ports,  and  one  of  them  was  entrusted  to  Gen 
eral  Burnside.  He  was  ordered  to  organize  a  "  coast 
division,"  on  the  23d  of  October,  1861,  and  to  establish  his 
headquarters  at  Annapolis.  The  men  for  this  division 
were  to  be  recruited  in  New  England,  and  many  of  them 
would  be  acquainted  with  boat  service.  With  this  force, 
and  some  light-draught  gun-boats,  General  Burnside  ex 
pected  to  terminate  the  blockade  of  the  Potomac.  He 
wanted  to  shell  out  or  storm  one  Confederate  battery  after 
another,  until  every  rebel  should  have  been  driven  from 
the  river-bank,  and  the  Nation  relieved  from  the  shame  of 
seeing  its  capital  besieged  by  a  foe  so  inferior  in  numbers. 
The  organization  of  this  force,  the  charter  of  vessels,  the 
equipment  of  men,  and  the  purchase  of  provisions,  ammu- 
niHon,  and  supplies  was  superintended  by  Colonel  Burn- 
side  in  person,  at  New  York. 

General   Burnside  submitted  his  original   plan  of  opera- 


124  GEAr.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 

tion  to  General  McClellan,  on  the  6th  of  September.  Gen 
eral  Scott  had  then  been  virtually  superseded,  and  on  the 
ist  of  November  the  old  hero  was  formally  relieved  of  his 
command,  and  General  McClellan  was  appointed  General- 
in-Chief  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States.  He  soon  after 
wards  decided  to  increase  the  "coast  division,"  and  to  send 
it  to  North  Carolina.  This  required  more  vessels  and 
more  men,  but  after  the  coast  of  North  Carolina  was  occu 
pied,  a  column  was  to  penetrate  to  Raleigh  and  Golds- 
boro',  where  it  was  to  be  met  by  General  Buell,  at  the 
head  of  the  Union  army  from  Tennessee.  Meanwhile 
General  Butler  was  to  occupy  New  Orleans,  and  Gen.  T. 
W.  Sherman,  Savannah.  These  movements  would,  it  was 
hoped,  divide  the  Confederate  army,  and  so  occupy  the 
attention  of  its  generals  that  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
would  be  able  to  move  "On  to  Richmond!"  The  pro 
gramme  was  a  good  one,  but  its  execution  was  unfortu 
nately  delayed  until  the  storms  of  winter  made  navigation 
dangerous  and  land-travel  difficult. 

General  Burnside's  troops  rendezvoused  at  Annapolis, 
Maryland,  where  they  were  consolidated  into  three  brig 
ades.  The  first  brigade,  commanded  by  Brig. -Gen.  John 
G.  Foster,  was  composed  of  the  Twenty-third,  Twenty- 
fourth,  Twenty-fifth,  and  Twenty-seventh  Massachusetts, 
and  Tenth  Connecticut  regiments  of  infantry  ; — the  sec 
ond  brigade,  commanded  by  Bfig.-Gen.  Jesse  L.  Reno, 
was  composed  of  the  Sixth  New  Hampshire,  Twenty-first 
Massachusetts,  Fifty-first  New  York,  Ninth  New  Jersey, 
and  Fifty-first  Pennsylvania  regiments  of  infantry  ; —  and 
the  third  brigade,  commanded  by  Brig. -Gen.  John  G. 
Parke,  was  composed  of  the  Fourth  Rhode  Island,  Eighth 
and  Eleventh  Connecticut,  Fifty-third  and  Eighty-ninth 
New  York  regiments  of  infantry  ;  a  battalion  of  the  Fifth 


I26  LIFE  AND   PL-RLIC   SERVICES    OF 

Rhode  Island  infantry,  and  Battery  F,  First  Rhode  Island 
light  artillery.  The  regiments  were  full,  and  the  com 
mand  numbered  upwards  of  twelve  thousand  men. 

Forty-six  transports  were  employed,  eleven  of  which 
were  steamers.  There  were  also  nine  armed  propellers,  to 
act  as  gun-boats,  and  five  barges  armed  as  floating  bat 
teries,  carrying  altogether  forty-seven  guns,  mostly  of  small 
calibre.  These  formed  the  army  division  of  the  fleet,  and 
were  commanded  by  Commander  Samuel  F.  Hazard.  A 
navy,  composed  of  twenty  vessels  of  different  sizes,  but 
most  of  light  draught,  for  the  navigation  of  the  Albemarle 
and  Pamlico  sounds,  carried  altogether  fifty-five  heavy 
<mns,  and  were  commanded  by  Commodore  L.  M.  Golds- 

c"»  •* 

borough. 

The  orders  for  embarkation  were  promulgated  on  Sat 
urday,  the  4th  of  January,  1862,  and  their  reading  in  each 
camp  was  the  signal  for  outbursts  of  cheering.  The  next 
morning  the  troops  commenced  embarking,  and  on  the  pth 
the  fleet  of  transports  steamed  down  Chesapeake  Bay  and 
anchored  oft'  Fortress  Monroe.  On  the  morning  of  the 
nth,  General  Burnside  arrived,  on  the  gun-boat  "Picket," 
a  screw  steamer,  the  smallest  of  the  fleet,  on  which  he 
had  established  his  headquarters.  The  secret  of  the  des 
tination  of  the  fleet  had  been  well  kept,  and  when  it  sailed, 
on  the  morning  of  the  i2th,  no  one  knew  it  except  the 
general  and  Commodore  Goldsborough.  The  officer  com 
manding  the  troops  on  each  ship  had  sealed  orders  given 
him,  which  were  to  be  opened  after  getting  six  miles  at 
sea. 

When  the  fleet  left  Hampton  Roads  the  weather  was  fine, 
but  the  next  day  a  terrific  storm  burst  upon  the  armada, 
as  if  determined  to  sweep  all  on  board  into  the  ocean. 
The  steamers  staggered  on,  breasting  the  giant  blows  of 


V/i.V.    AM/t/tOSE  E.    lil'K  \S 


each  successive  sea,  their  luills  and  spars  trembling,  their 
decks  swept  tore  and  aft,  and  all  on  board  reeling  from 
side  to  side  like  drunken  men.  One  figure  stood  immov 
able,  grasping  the  shrouds,  scanning  the  horizon  for  traces 
of  ships  as  his  steamer  rose  on  each  glittering  mass  of 
foam.  It  was  the  square,  manly  form  of  General  Burn- 
side,  whose  anxiety  for  the  fate  of  his  army  was  intense, 
With  nothing  to  distinguish  him  but  his  yellow  belt  and 
blue  blouse,  slouch  hat,  and  high  boots,  he  stood  like  a 
sea-king,  hailing  every  vessel  and  asking  affectionately 
after  the  welfare  of  those  on  board.  It  became  necessary 
to  find  the  tortuous  channel  of  Hatteras  Inlet  when  the 
storm  was  at  its  height.  A  few  light-draught  steamers 
succeeded  in  passing  safely.  Making  the  inlet,  they 
crossed  the  bar,  came  to  anchor  in  the  comparatively 
smooth  water  of  Pamlico  Sound,  and  some  of  the  troops 
were  landed.  But  many  of  the  steamers,  which  had  been 
represented  as  light-draught,  could  not  cross  the  bar,  and 
were  tossed  about  outside  for  nearly  two  weeks.  Occa 
sionally  a  steamer  would  work  her  way  in,  and  some  of 
them  were  much  injured. 

General  Burnside  acted  the  part  of  admiral  as  well  as 
general,  and  managed  his  great  fleet  as  best  he  could, 
performing  the  duties  of  navigator,  pilot,  and  harbor-mas 
ter.  Whenever  a  steamer  was  in  distress,  the  general  was 
always  the  first  man  off  to  her  assistance,  and  there  was 
not  a  grade  in  the  army  which  he  did  not  fill  during  this 
trving  occasion,  so  anxious  was  he  for  the  well-being  and 
comfort  of  his  troops.  Generals  Foster,  Reno,  and  Parke 
gave  him  their  ablest  assistance,  and  the  conduct  of  the 
officers  and  men  was  highly  commendable.  At  length, 
on  the  25th  of  January,  the  storm  finally  broke,  and  the 
vessels  were  all  inside  of  the  bar.  A  depot  of  supplies 


I28  GEX.    AMKltOSE    E.    Ki:ii 

was  established  on  shore,  and  some  of"  the  troops  were 
transferred  from  the  steamers  in  which  they  had  come  from 
Annapolis  to  others  of  a  lighter  draught,  while  the  Sixth 
New  Hampshire  Regiment,  which  had  been  landed,  was 
re-embarked,  with  the  Ninth  New  York  Regiment,  of  the 
Hatteras  Island  garrison. 

General  Burnside  was  ubiquitous,  moving  about  in 
every  direction  on  the  "  Picket,"  and  when  all  was  ready, 
he  issued  the  following  order,  which  breathes  the  broad- 
hearted  humanity  that  all  who  had  even  the  slightest  inter 
course  with  him  found  to  be  a  large  element  in  his  nature. 
It  also  showed  the  .confidence  he  reposed  in  his  troops, 
and  it  was  an  appeal  to  the  humanitv  and  honor  of  his 

men  : 

HEAD^TARTERS  DKPARTMKNT  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA,  ) 
I'A.MI.K'O  Soi'Nu,   Feb.  3.    186::.  j 

General  Orders.  Xo.  j. 

This  expedition,  being  about  to  land  on  the  soil  of  North  Carolina,  the 
general  commanding  desires  his  soldiers  to  remember  that  they  are  here 
to  support  the  Constitution  and  the  laws,  i.c>  put  down  rebellion,  and  to 
protect  the  persons  and  property  of  the  loyai  and  peaceable  citizens  of 
the  State.  In  the  march  of  the  army,  all  unnecessary  injuries  to  houses, 
barns,  fences,  and  other  property  will  be  carefully  avoided,  and  in  all 
cases  the  rules  of  civilized  warfare  will  be  carefully  observed. 

Wounded  soldiers  will  be  treated  with  every  care  and  attention,  ami 
neither  they  nor  prisoners  must  be  insulted  or  annoved  by  word  or  act. 

With  the  fullest  confidence  in  the  valor  and  the  character  of  his  troops, 
the  general  commanding  looks  forward  to  a  speedy  and  successful  termi 
nation  of  the  campaign. 

By  command  of  Urig.-Gen.  A.    E.   BURNSIDE. 

LEWIS  RICHMOND,   Assistant  Adjutant-Gmrral. 

On  the  morning  of  the  5th,  the  fleet,  consisting  in  all  of 
sixty-five  vessels,  moved  forward  in  regular  order,  each 
brigade  forming  three  columns,  headed  by  its  flag-ship. 
The  gun-boats  of  the  "  coast  division  "  occupied  positions 
on  the  flanks,  to  be  ready  for  a  response  to  any  demonstra- 


1^0  LIFE   AXD   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

tion  from  shore.  Each  large  steamer  had  one,  two,  and 
in  some  instances  three  schooners  in  tow,  whose  tall  spires 
pointed  unvaryingly  to  the  zenith  as  the  water  was  ruffled 
by  the  light  wind.  The  aisles  between  the  three  columns 
of  ships  were  unbroken  through  the  whole  length  of  the 
fleet,  which  extended  almost  two  miles  over  the  surface  of 
the  sound,  except  by  General  Burnside's  flag-boat,  the 
"Picket,"  which  was  dashing  here,  there,  and  everywhere. 
This  great  armada,  which  had  so  lately  been  buffeted  by 
the  storms  of  Hatteras,  stranded  and  baffled  among  those 
perilous  sands,  with  the  hopes  of  thousands  of  brave  men 
ebbing  and  flowing  with  the  dangerous  tides,  and  finding 
their  only  consolation  in  the  skill  and  energy  of  invincible 
leaders,  was  again  moving  onward  with  the  hearts  of  offi 
cers  and  men  inspired  with  confidence  and  renewed  hopes. 
Arriving  in  sight  of  Roanoke  Island,  the  fleet  came  to 
anchor  for  the  night,  and  it  was  hoped  that  the  landing 
could  take  place  on  the  next  day.  A  fog,  followed  by  a 
storm,  prevented  it,  but  on  the  morning  of  the  7th  the  sun 
shone  out  brightly  and  the  sky  cleared.  Commodore 
Goldsborough,  after  getting  his  fleet  under  way,  hoisted 
this  signal:  "The  country  expects  every  man  to  do  his 
duty."  The  gun-boats  moved  forward,  and  were  soon 
engaged  with  the  enemy's  fleet  of  steamers,  and  Forts 
Forrest  and  Bartow.  The  Confederate  steamers  retreated, 
as  the  Union  fleet  advanced,  behind  a  barricade  of  sunken 
vessels  and  piles.  Meanwhile  the  troops  were  landed 
from  the  transports  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  in 
light-draught  steamers,  each  one  of  which  towed  several 
boats  filled  with  men.  The  scene  was  animated  beyond 
description.  As  the  boats  dashed  up  towards  the  shore  the 
men  jumped  overboard  when  the  keels  touched  the  land, 
and  waded  to  the  beach,  a  long  distance  through  deep 


I  }0  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

lion  from  shore.  Each  large  steamer  had  one,  two,  and 
in  some  instances  three  schooners  in  tow,  whose  tall  spires 
pointed  unvaryingly  to  the  zenith  as  the  water  was  ruffled 
by  the  light  wind.  The  aisles  between  the  three  columns 
of  ships  were  unbroken  through  the  whole  length  of  the 
fleet,  which  extended  almost  two  miles  over  the  surface  of 
the  sound,  except  by  General  Burnside's  flag-boat,  the 
'•  Picket,"  which  was  dashing  here,  there,  and  everywhere. 
This  great  armada,  which  had  so  lately  been  buffeted  by 
the  storms  of  Hatteras,  stranded  and  baffled  among  those 
perilous  sands,  with  the  hopes  of  thousands  of  brave  men 
ebbing  and  flowing  with  the  dangerous  tides,  and  finding 
their  only  consolation  in  the  skill  and  energy  of  invincible 
leaders,  was  again  moving  onward  with  the  hearts  of  offi 
cers  and  men  inspired  with  confidence  and  renewed  hopes. 
Arriving  in  sight  of  Roanoke  Island,  the  fleet  came  to 
anchor  for  the  night,  and  it  was  hoped  that  the  landing 
could  take  place  on  the  next  day.  A  fog,  followed  by  a 
storm,  prevented  it,  but  on  the  morning  of  the  7th  the  sun 
shone  out  brightly  and  the  sky  cleared.  Commodore 
Goldsborough,  after  getting  his  fleet  under  way,  hoisted 
this  signal:  "The  countrv  expects  every  man  to  do  his 
duty.''  The  gun-boats  moved  forward,  and  were  soon 
engaged  with  the  enemy's  fleet  of  steamers,  and  Forts 
Forrest  and  Bartow.  The  Confederate  steamers  retreated, 
as  the  Union  fleet  advanced,  behind  a  barricade  of  sunken 
vessels  and  piles.  Meanwhile  the  troops  were  landed 
from  the  transports  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  in 
light-draught  steamers,  each  one  of  which  towed  several 
boats  filled  with  men.  The  scene  was  animated  beyond 
description.  As  the  boats  dashed  up  towards  the  shore  the 
men  jumped  overboard  when  the  keels  touched  the  land, 
and  waded  to  the  beach,  a  long  distance  through  deep 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

mud.  This  was  a  most  tedious,  exhausting  operation,  and 
the  night  was  well  advanced  before  it  was  completed. 
The  rain  was  falling,  a  cold  northern  wind  was  blowing 
at  the  time,  and  the  men  were  compelled  to  bivouac  on 
the  ground  without  protection  of  any  kind.  Those  nearest 
the  enemy  could  not  even  kindle  fires  for  cooking,  as  the 
lights  might  prove  marks  for  the  enemy's  sharp-shooters. 
General  Burnside  did  all  in  his  power  to  promote  the 
comfort  of  the  men,  afloat  and  ashore,  and  they  greeted 
him  wherever  he  went  with  the  utmost  enthusiasm.  Al 
ready  every  one  in  the  command  appreciated  his  good 
temper,  his  cool  courage,  his  knowledge  of  military  mat 
ters,  and  his  evident  determination  that  every  officer,  as 
well  as  every  enlisted  man,  should  do  his  duty. 


General  fiurnfidf's  Headquarters,  Roatwkc  Island, 

CHAPTER  XIII. 


TIIK  BATTLE  OK  ROANOKE  ISLAND —  FRUITS  OF  THE  VICTORY  — 
RETURN  OF  ROBERT  —  ADVANCE  ON  NEWBERN  —  GLORIOUS 
VICTORV  — CONGRATULATIONS  AND  THANKS  -GOVERNMENT 
OF  NORTH  CAROMNA  — REBUKE  OF  AN  ALARMIST. 

RDANOKE  ISLAND  was  the  scene  of  active  hos 
tilities  on  the  morning  of  Feb.  8,  1862.  General 
Burnside  had  received  information  that  the  Con 
federates  were  entrenched  on  what  they  regarded  as  their 
stronghold,  near  the  middle  of  the  island,  flanked  by 
almost  impassable  swamps,  and  only  approached  b}'  a  nar 
row  causeway,  defended  by  a  battery  of  three  guns.  At 
day-break,  General  Foster's  brigade  moved  to  attack  this 
position,  followed  by  the  brigades  of  Generals  Reno  and 
Parke.  While  General  Foster  attacked  the  battery  on  the 
causeway,  General  Reno  led  his  men  through  the  swamp 
on  one  flank  and  General  Parke  did  the  same  on  the 
other,  often  wading  in  water. waist-deep,  through  a  dense, 
interlaced  growth  of  bushes  and  briars,  which  was  cut 
away  by  the  officers'  swords.  This  tedious  advance  occu 
pied  several  hours,  but  it  was  a  complete  surprise  to  the 
enemy  when  the  Union  troops  appeared  on  either  flank, 
from  swamps  which  had  been  regarded  as  impassable. 


GEX.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE.  joo 

v J  O 

At  this  juncture  Major  Kimball,  of  the  New  York  Ninth 
Regiment  ( Hawkins'  Zouaves),  volunteered  to  lead  the 
charge  with  his  men,  and  to  carry  the  entrenchment  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet.  ''You  are  the  man!"  exclaimed 
General  Foster.  "  The  Ninth  is  the  regiment,  and  this  is 
the  moment!  Zouaves,  storm  the  battery!  Forward!" 
The  regiment  started  at  double-quick  time,  shouting: 
"  Zou  !  Zou  !  Zou  !"  and  being  joined  by  their  colonel, 
leaped  into  the  ditch,  mounted  the  parapet,  and  drove  the 
enemy  away  from  their  guns  with  the  bayonet.  Almost 
simultaneously,  the  Twenty-first  Massachusetts  and  the 
Fifty-first  New  York  scaled  the  parapet  on  the  opposite 
side,  and  the  two  victorious  columns  met  at  the  flag-staff, 
on  which  the  "stars  and  stripes"  soon  replaced  the  "stars 
and  bars." 

The  Confederates,  panic-stricken,  fled  at  full  speed, 
strewing  the  road  with  their  muskets  and  equipments. 
General  Foster,  after  having  obtained  a  supply  of  ammu 
nition,  followed  the  fugitives,  and  had  chased  them  for 
several  miles,  when  he  was  met  bv  a  flag  of  truce  borne 
by  Colonel  Pool,  with  a  message  from  Colonel  Shaw,  of 
the  North  Carolina  forces,  then  senior  in  command,  ask 
ing  what  terms  of  capitulation  would  be  granted.  Gen 
eral  Foster's  answer  was:  "Unconditional  surrender!" 
Colonel  Pool  wanted  to  know  how  much  time  would  be 
granted.  '-No  longer  than  will  enable  you  to  report  to 
Colonel  Shaw/'  Colonel  Pool  retired,  and  General  Fos 
ter,  having  waited  what  he  considered  a  sufficient  time, 
had  ordered  the  troops  to  move  forward,  when  Major 
Stevenson,  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Massachusetts,  who  had 
gone  with  Colonel  Pool  to  receive  Colonel  Shaw's  answer, 
appeared  with  a  message  that  General  Fosters  terms  were 
accepted. 


GEN.   AMBROSE  E.    I3URNSJDE. 

Capt.  O.  J.  Wise,  of  the  "Wise  Legion"  of  Virginia, 
was  wounded,  and  endeavored  to  make  his  escape  in  a 
boat  to  Nag's  Head,  but  he  was  captured,  and  he  died  the 
next  morning,  defiantly  expressing  with  his  latest  breath 
his  deep  regret  that  he  could  not  live  longer  to  fight  against 
the  Union.  Company  A,  of  the  "  Wise  Legion,''  was  the 
pet  volunteer  military  organization  of  Richmond,  having 
been  chartered  in  1793,  and  some  of  the  most  promising 
young  men  of  that  city  fought  and  fell  in  its  ranks.  They 
left  behind  them  in  the  fort,  where  the  Twenty-first  Massa 
chusetts  found  it,  a  beautiful  white-silk  banner,  tastefully 
embroidered,  and  bearing  the  motto:  "  Ant  Vinccrc  ant 
Mori"  "To  Conquer  or  to  Die."  The  survivors  being 
unable  to  obey  either  of  its  alternatives,  had  left  it  with 
their  dead  —  the  few  of  them  all  who  had  accepted  the 
second  alternative  when  the  first  was  not  attainable.  An 
other  volunteer  organization,  that  had  come  over  from 
Elizabeth  City  on  the  morning  of  the  battle,  received  no 
ammunition,  and  were  obliged  to  surrender  without  having 
fired  a  gun. 

The  commanders  of  the  three  forts  speedily  followed 
Colonel  Shaw's  example,  and  their  strongholds  were  at 
once  rechristened  by  General  Burnside,  Fort  Foster,  Fort 
Reno,  and  Fort  Parke.  The  Confederate  fleet,  com 
manded  by  Captain  Lynch,  formerly  of  the  United  States 
Navy,  endeavored  to  escape,  but  nearly  all  of  the  steamers 
were  captured. 

The  capture  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  prisoners 
was  especially  acceptable  to  General  Burnside,  as  it  en 
abled  him  to  secure  the  exchange  of  an  equal  number  ot 
Union  prisoners  taken  at  Bull  Run  and  elsewhere,  who 
were  held  at  the  South.  General  Burnside  also  reported 
to  General  McClellan  that  he  had  captured  "  five  forts, 


LIFE  AXD   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

mounting  thirty-two  guns,  winter  quarters  for  some  four 
thousand  troops,  three  thousand  stand  of  small  arms,  large 
hospital  buildings,  with  a  large  amount  of  lumber,  wheel 
barrows,  scows,  pile-driver,  a  mud-dredge,  and  various 
other  appurtenances  for  military  service."  The  following 
congratulatory  order  was  issued  by  General  Burnside  : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA,  | 

ROANOKE  ISLAND.  Feb.  6.   1862.  j 

General  Orders,  No.  7. 

The  general  commanding  congratulates  his  troops  on  their  brilliant 
and  successful  occupation  of  Roanoke  Island.  The  courage  and  steadi 
ness  they  have  shown  under  iire  is  what  he  expected  from  them,  and  he 
accepts  it  as  a  token  of  future  victory. 

Each  regiment  on  the  island  will  inscribe  on  its  banner:  "Roanoke 
Island,  Feb.  8,  i86.V 

The  highest  praise  i>  due  to  Brigadier-Generals  Foster.  Reno,  and 
Parke,  who  so  energetically  carried  out  the  movement  that  has  resulted 
in  the  complete  success  of  the  Union  arms. 

By  command  of  Brig.-Gen.   A.    E.   Bl'RNSIDE. 
LEWIS  RICHMOND.  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

The  battle  of  Roanoke  Island,  followed  by  the  occupa 
tion  of  Elizabeth  City,  Edenton,  and  Plymouth,  caused 
great  rejoicing  in  the  northern  states,  and  revived  the 
drooping  spirits  of  loyal  men.  Rhode  Island  voted  Gen 
eral  Burnside  a  sword,  in  addition  to  her  thanks,  the  legis 
latures  of  Massachusetts  and  of  Ohio,  then  in  session,  ex 
pressed  their  gratitude  by  the  passage  of  congratulatory 
resolutions.  President  Lincoln  nominated  General  Burn- 
side  a  major-general  of  volunteers,  and  the  Senate  con 
firmed  the  nomination  on  the  iSth  of  March,  1862. 

The  first  of  the  Union  prisoners  exchanged  for  the  Con 
federates  who  surrendered  at  Roanoke  Island  to  reach 
there,  was  Robert  Holloway,  the  faithful  colored  servant 
of  General  Burnside.  Robert  had  been  with  the  general 


J-.6  LIFE   A.\D   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

mounting  thirty-two  guns,  winter  quarters  for  some  four 
thousand  troops,  three  thousand  stand  of  small  arms,  large 
hospital  buildings,  with  a  large  amount  of  lumber,  wheel 
barrows,  scows,  pile-driver,  a  mud-dredge,  and  various 
other  appurtenances  for  military  service."  The  following 
congratulatory  order  was  issued  by  General  Burnside  : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OK  NORTH  CAROLINA,  ] 
ROANOKE  ISLAND.  Feb.  6,   iS6j.  j 

General  Orders,  JVo.  7. 

The  general  commanding  congratulates  his  troops  on  their  brilliant 
and  successful  occupation  of  Roanoke  Island.  The  courage  and  steadi 
ness  they  have  shown  under  fire  is  what  he  expected  from  them,  and  he 
accepts  it  as  a  token  of  future  victorv. 

Each  regiment  on  the  island  will  inscribe  on  its  banner:  "Roanoke 
Island,  Feb.  8,  i86j." 

The  highest  praise  i>  due  to  Brigadier-Generals  Foster.  Reno,  and 
Parke.  who  so  energetically  carried  out  the  movement  that  has  resulted 
in  the  complete  success  of  the  Union  arms. 

Bv  command  of  Brig. -Gen.   A.    E.   BURXSIDE. 
LEWIS  RICHMOND,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

The  battle  of  Roanoke  Island,  followed  by  the  occupa 
tion  of  Elizabeth  City,  Edenton,  and  Plymouth,  caused 
great  rejoicing  inv  the  northern  states,  and  revived  the 
drooping  spirits  of  loyal  men.  Rhode  Island  voted  Gen 
eral  Burnside  a  sword,  in  addition  to  her  thanks,  the  legis 
latures  of  Massachusetts  and  of  Ohio,  then  in  session,  ex 
pressed  their  gratitude  by  the  passage  of  congratulatory 
resolutions.  President  Lincoln  nominated  General  Burn- 
side  a  major-general  of  volunteers,  and  the  Senate  con 
firmed  the  nomination  on  the  iSth  of  March,  1862. 

The  first  of  the  Union  prisoners  exchanged  for  the  Con 
federates  who  surrendered  at  Roanoke  Island  to  reach 
there,  was  Robert  Holloway,  the  faithful  colored  servant 
of  General  Burnside.  Robert  had  been  with  the  <reneral 


GEX.    AM/i/fOSE   E.    BL'A\\S/DE. 


137 


since  their  ride  across  the  plains  in  New  Mexico,  until  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  when  he  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  was  carried  to  Richmond,  and  imprisoned  in  a 
tobacco  warehouse.  When  an  exchange  was  agreed  upon, 


MAP   OF    KOANOKE    ISLAND. 


the  general  saw  that  Robert's  name  was  included,  and  the 

O 

faithful  fellow,  instead  of  going  to  see  his  wife  and  child, 
when  he  was  liberated,  found  his  way  to  his  old  employer. 
Newbern  was  the  next  place  in  North  Carolina  to  be 
occupied,  and  General  Burnside  lost  no  time  in  organizing 
an  expedition  for  the  occupation  of  that  ancient  town. 


j-^8  LIFE   AND   J>['KL/C    SE/fl'/CKS    OF 

Detachments  were  meanwhile  sent  to  places  in  the  vicinity, 
to  destroy  munitions  of  war,  and  to  divert  the  attention  of 
the  Confederates.  It  was  the  nth  of  March  before  the 
fleet  was  ready  to  sail,  and  an  order  from  General  Burn- 
side  was  distributed  among  those  on  board,  assuring  them 
that  the  movement  about  to  be  commenced  would  "greatly 
demoralize  the  enemy,  and  contribute  much  to  the  success 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac." 

An  important  point  for  keeping  open  the  communication 
between  the  Confederate  capital  and  the  South  Atlantic 
States,  Newbern  had  been  strongly  fortified,  heavily  armed, 
and  abundantly  manned.  Yet  General  Burnside  did  not 

mt 

hesitate  to  attack  it  with  an  infantry  force,  without  siege 
guns,  or  any  artillery,  in  fact,  except  two  rifled  twelve- 
pound  navy  guns,  and  six  boat  howitzers,  each  drawn  and 
served  by  twelve  sailors. 

The  transports  on  which  the  troops  had  embarked, 
escorted  by  a  flotilla  of  fourteen  armed  steamboats  under 
the  command  of  Commander  Rowan,  sailed  across  Pamlico 
Sound  and  up  the  Neuse  River,  until  they  reached  Slo- 
cum's  Creek,  about  fifteen  miles  below  'the  city  of  New 
bern.  On  Thursday  morning,  the  i3th,  the  troops  were 
landed,  and  marched  up  the  bank  of  the  river,  over  a 
road  ankle-deep  in  mud,  in  a  driving  rain.  Reaching  the 
enemy's  line  of  defenses,  the  column  was  halted,  and  biv 
ouacked.  The  men,  wet  through,  fatigued,  and  muddy, 
crowded  around  the  camp-tires,  and  passed  an  uncomfort 
able  night,  to  be  ordered  under  arms  at  an  early  hour  the 
next  morning.  It  was  very  foggy,  and  impossible  to  see 
the  entrenchments  and  other  defenses  which  obstructed 
the  road  leading  to  Newbern.  But  General  Burnside  did 
not  falter  or  hesitate.  He  knew  the  men  of  his  command, 
and  he  proposed,  with  an  audacity  that  was  invincible,  to 
"move  on  the  enemy's  works"  and  to  capture  them. 


GEX.    AM/UfOSE   E.    KUKNSIDE. 

The  order  of  advance  was  in  three  columns,  General 
Foster's  brigade  forming  the  right,  and  General  Reno's  the 
left,  with  General  Parke's  forming  a  central  column,  ready 
to  support  either  of  the  others,  as  circumstances  should 
demand.  The  engage 
ment  commenced  at  7.30 
in  the  morning,  the  ar 
tillery  and  infantry  be 
hind  the  earth-works 
pouring  forth  a  destruc 
tive  fire,  which  was  re 
turned  from  the  advanc 
ing  regiments.  Several 
desperate  charges  were 
made  by  the  Union  reg 
iments,  but  were  re 
pulsed,  when  Colonel 
Rodman,  at  the  head  of 
the  Fourth  Rhode  Island 

Regiment,  managed  to  effect  an  entrance  into  one  end  of 
the  enemy's  works,  and  fought  his  way  along  its  entire 
length,  successively  capturing  nine  guns.  This  unex 
pected  appearance  of  a  Union  regiment  within  their  own 
lines  demoralized  the  rebels,  while  it  assured  the  Union 
troops.  When  General  Burnside  was  told  that  the  Fourth 
Rhode  Island  was  within  the  enemy's  lines,  and  saw  its 
flag  moving  steadily  along,  he  said  :  "  Know  that  flag.  It 
is  just  what  I  expected.  Thank  God  !  the  day  is  ours  !" 
Soon  after,  he  entered  the  captured  battery,  from  which 
the  Confederates  had  fled  in  precipitate  haste.  The 
remaining  obstacles  were  soon  swept  away,  and  the  de 
fenders  of  Newbern  were  soon  fleeing  to  Goldsboro'  by 
the  railroad,  burning  the  bridges  after  they  had  passed,  to 
prevent  pursuit. 


COMMANDER    S.    C.    KOWAN. 


140  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

Having  occupied  the  city  and  made  provision  for  the 
care  of  the  wounded,  both  Union  and  Confederate,  Gen 
eral  Burnside  issued  the  followinp-  orders  : 

o 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA,  ") 
NEWBERN,  March   i6;   1862.  j 

General  Orders,  No.  //. 

The  general  commanding  congratulates  his  troops  on  their  gallant  and 
hard-won  victory  of  the  i4th.  Their  courage,  their  patience,  their  endur 
ance  of  fatigue,  exposure,  and  toil,  cannot  be  too  highly  praised.  After 
a  tedious  inarch,  dragging  their  howitzers  by  hand  through  swamps  and 
thickets;  after  a  sleepless  night  passed  in  a  drenching  rain,  thev  met  the 
enemy  in  his  chosen  position,  found  him  protected  by  strong  earth-works, 
mounting  many  and  heavy  guns,  and,  although  in  an  open  Held  them 
selves,  they  conquered. 

With  such  soldiers  advance  is  victory. 

The  general  commanding  directs,  with  peculiar  pride,  that,  as  a  well- 
deserved  tribute  to  valor  in  this  second  victory  of  the  expedition,  each 
regiment  engaged  shall  inscribe  on  its  banner  the  memorable  name. 
'•  Newbern." 

By  command  of  Hrig.-Gen.    A.    E.    BURNSIDE. 

LEWIS   RICHMOND,   Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA,  ^ 
NEWHERN.   March    15,    1862.  \ 

Special  Order,  No.  j/. 

Brig. -Gen.  J.  G.  Foster.  Military  Governor  of  Newbern,  will  direct  that 
the  churches  be  opened  at  a  suitable  hour  to-morrow,  in  order  that  the 
chaplains  of  the  different  regiments  mav  hold  divine  services  in  them. 
The  bells  •will  be  rung  as  usual. 

By  command  of  Brig.-Gen.   A.    E.   BURNSIDE. 
LEWIS  RICHMOND,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

In  his  official  report  to  General  McClellan,  narrating 
the  advance  on  and  the  capture  of  Newbern,  General 
Burnside  said  :  "I  beg  to  say  to  the  general  commanding 
the  army,  that  I  have  endeavored  to  carry  out  the  very 
minute  instructions  given  me  by  him  before  leaving  Annap 
olis,  and  thus  far  events  have  been  singularlv  coincident 


(iEX.    AMKltOSE    E.    BUKX^IDE. 

with  his  anticipations.  I  only  hope  that  we  may  in  future 
be  able  to  carry  out  in  detail  the  remaining  plans  of  the 
campaign  ;  the  only  thing  I  have  to  regret  is  the  delay 
caused  by  the  elements." 

This  report  perfected  the  claims  of  General  Burnside 
to  public  respect  and  admiration.  To  proofs  of  well-con 
trived  strategy,  cautious  and  successful  leadership,  and 
consummate  gallantry  under  fire,  he  added,  in  this  official 
rrarrative,  evidence  of  that  rare  modesty,  which  not  only 
arrogates  no  merit  belonging  to  others,  but  is  even  anxious 
to  place  the  fortunate  result  to  the  credit  of  its  original 
projectors. 

Secretary  Stanton,  in  a  dispatch  said:  '-The  report  of 
the  late  brilliant  success  of  the  United  States  forces  under 
your  command  at  Newbern  has  afforded  the  highest  satis 
faction  to  the  President,  to  this  Department,  and  to  the 
whole  Nation,  and  thanks  for  distinguished  services  are 
attain  tendered  to  von,  and  the  officers  and  soldiers  under 

o  •/ 

your  command."  General  Burnside  found  himself  in 
vested  with  civil  as  well  as  military  jurisdiction.  It  had 
been  asserted  that  the  State  of  North  Carolina  had  been 
forced  into  the  Rebellion  against  the  wishes  of  a  large  num 
ber  of  its  citizens,  but  officers  sent  out  from  Newbern  in 
different  directions  on  reconnoitering  expeditions,  returned 
with  discouraging  reports.  The  loyal  sentiment  was  not 
found  to  exist  in  any  considerable  extent.  It  was  very 
evident  that  the  Rebellion  could  not  be  suppressed  while 
slaverv  existed,  and  General  Burnside  found  himself  much 

j 

perplexed  by  the  arrival  within  his  lines  of  large  numbers 
of  fugitive  slaves,  who  were  received  and  employed  by 
himself  as  ''  contraband  of  war.'' 

General  Burnside  continued  to  send  expeditions  in  differ 
ent  directions,  although  he  had  no  wagon-trains,  ambu- 


Tj.2  LIFE   AND    PUBLIC    SERVICES    (.)/•' 

lances,  or  cavalry.  His  scouting  parties  were  mounted 
on  the  horses  of  a  Rhode  Island  battery,  and  a  few  im 
pressed  country  teams  furnished  his  only  transportation. 

Newbern,  under  General  Burnside's  rule,  was  soon  re- 
peopled  by  its  inhabitants,  and  the  spring  Sundays  were 
most  delightful,  smoothing  the  "  wrinkled  front  of  war." 
The  weather  was  delightful,  neither  too  warm  nor  too  cool 
for  enjoyment,  and  the  air  was  fragrant  with  the  odors  of 
peach  blossoms  and  freshly-blown  flowers.  The  music 
of  the  bands  at  the  various  regimental  headquarters,  espec 
ially  those  led  by  Gilmore  and  by  Brown,  floated  on  the 
quiet  air,  and  lent  its  charm  to  the  clay.  In  the  harbor, 
gay  colors  were  displayed  from  the  mast-heads  of  many 
vessels,  and  the  surface  of  the  water,  scarcely  ruffled  by 
the  wind,  was  early  dotted  with  boats  from  steamers  and 
men-of-war,  filled  with  officers  on  their  way  to  church. 
The  morning  parades  of  the  different'  regiments  were 
accompanied  with  an  elasticity  of  step  and  pride  of  move 
ment  which  showed  how  much  the  soldiers  themselves  had 
improved  in  discipline  and  drill.  The  colored  people  were 
out  in  masses  in  their  best  clothes,  and  listened  to  the 
music  as  if  thev  had  awakened  to  a  new  existence. 

•/ 

General  Burnside  and  staff  attended  the  Episcopal 
Church,  at  which  the  Rev.  Mr.  Drunem,  of  the  Ninth 
New  Jersey  Regiment,  officiated.  The  other  churches 
were  all  open,  and  were  well  attended  by  the  soldiers  and 
citizens. 

General  Burnside's  government  of  North  Carolina,  al 
though  kind  and  parental,  was  firm.  One  of  the  surgeons 
attached  to  his  command  having  been  guilty  of  raising 
a  false  alarm,  relative  to  the' approach  of  the  Confederates 
in  a  large  body  on  Newbern,  was  disposed  of  by  the  com 
manding  general  in  the  following  characteristic  order : 


(rE.\.    AMKKOS/-:   E..  HCKXSIDE.  j^o 

IlEADOJ'ARTERS  DlCPARTMKXT  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA,   1 

NKWHERX,  April  4.  1862.  I 

General  Orders,  A~i>.  2j. 

Dr.  J.  II.  Thompson.  Brigade  Surgeon,  First  Division,  is  herein*  re 
lieved  from  duty  with  the  First  Division,  and  will  report  without  delay  to 
the  Surgeon-General  at  Washington,  with  the  recommendation  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States  that  he  be  dismissed  from  the  service  as  an 
alarmist. 

It  is  expected  that  all  important  and  reliable  information  should  be 
duly  reported  through  proper  channels,  but  the  stern  realities  of  active 
warfare  rob  the  soldier  of  quite  sufficient  of  his  rest  and  sleep  without  the 
aggravations  of  senseless  rumors  and  imaginary  dangers,  and  those  who 
create  or  report  them  will  be  at  once  expelled  from  this  department. 

By  command  of  Brig. -Gen.  A.   E.   BURNSIDK. 
.LEWIS  RICHMOND,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


General  Sufnside's  Headquarters  at  Neivbern. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


INVESTMENT  AND  REDUCTION  OF  FORT  MACON  —  EFFECTIVE  CAN 
NONADING  —  OCCUPATION  OF  THE  FORT— JEFF  DAVIS  HUMIL 
IATED  —  WILMINGTON  —  ARRIVAL  OF  GOVERNOR  STANLEY  — 
CLAIMED  CONTRABANDS  — MEETING  WITH  MRS.  BURNSIDE  AT 
FORTRESS  MONROE  — INTERVIEW  WITH  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN  — 
SWORD  PRESENTATION. 


"M-1E  investment  and  reduction  of  Fort  Macon  next 
became  a  military  necessity,  and  it  was  entrusted 
to  General  Parke,  an  engineer  officer  of  great 
ability,  while  General  Burnside  secured  Beaufort  and 
Morehead  City.  A  blockading  squadron  prevented  the 
receipt  of  reinforcements  or  provisions,  and  soon  three 
siege  batteries,  armed  with  thirty-pound  guns  and  large 
mortars  were  ready  for  service.  General  Burnside  would 
not,  however,  permit  the  fire  to  be  opened  until  he  had 
personally  summoned  Colonel  White,  the  Confederate  com 
mander,  to  surrender.  The  two  officers  met  under  flags 
of  truce  on  the  beach. 

Anxious  to  repossess  the  fort  without  blood-shed,  Gen- 


GE.Y.  'A  MBit  OS  E    E.    BURNS  IDE. 

eral  Burnside  offered  Colonel  White  the  privilege  of  sur 
rendering  with  his  men  on  their  parole  of  honor,  and 
agreed  to  permit  them  to  return  to  their  homes  with  their 
personal  effects.  Colonel  White  replied  that  he  could 
not  surrender  the  fort  without  resistance,  but  he  prom 
ised  General  Burnside  that  he  would  not  fire  upon  Beau 
fort  or  Morehead  City,  and  in  return  General  Burnside 
agreed  to  forward  letters  written  by  the  garrison.  On 
Friday  morning  —  a  day  whose  evil  augury  was  signally 
reversed  in  this  campaign  —  a  ten-pound  Parrott  gun  from 
one  of  the  Union  batteries  startled  the  citizens  of  Beaufort 
from  their  slumbers.  Another  and  another  followed  in 
quick  succession,  and  then  came  an  earthquake  shock 
from  the  ten-inch  mortars,  which  shook  the  houses  and 
their  foundations.  The  fort  returned  a  sharp  and  well- 
sustained  fire,  the  solid  thirty-two-pound  shot  striking  short 
and  throwing  up  clouds  of  sand,  or  passing  over  the  bat 
teries  and  entering  the  sand-hills  beyond. 

About  nine  o'clock  the  United  States  gun-boats  came 
into  position,  one  after  the  other,  and  sent  a  perfect  storm 
of  exploding  projectiles  into  the  fort.  The  rough  sea 
which  prevailed  outside,  however,  rendered  all  attempt  at 
accurate  range  impossible,  and  after  firing  about  two  hours 
they  hauled  off.  The  Parrott  battery  kept  up  a  continuous 
discharge,  its  shells  exploding  over  the  parapets,  and 
its  solid  bolts  plowing  up  the  works  in  all  directions. 
When  one  of  these  shots  struck  the  parapets,  the  fort,  for 
an  instant,  would  be  enveloped  in  heavy  clouds  of  black 
mould,  which  were  thrown  almost  to  the  top  of  the  flag 
staff,  while  fragments  of  brick,  stone,  and  lumber  from  the 
wooden  covering  of  the  ramparts  filled  the  air,  hiding  the 
enemy's  gunners  from  view.  The  spectators  upon  the 
houses  and  wharves  of  Beaufort  watched  the  progress  of 
the  fight  with  great  interest.  Women,  whose  friends  were 
10 


LIFE   AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

in  the  fort,  hastened  nervously  from  one  house  to  another, 
or  watched  with  tearful  eyes  the  awful  pageant  from  their 
own  windows.  The  smoke  of  the  guns  constantly  envel 
oped  the  fort,  and  settled  like  a  blue  veil  upon  the  surface 
of  the  water.  As  the  Union  batteries  obtained  the  exact 
range,  and  poured  a  continuous  storm  of  bursting  shell  into 
the  fort,  its  guns  were  gradually  deserted,  and  shortly 
after  four  o'clock  a  white  flag  was  displayed  on  the  para 
pet. 

An  armistice  was  granted,  and  early  the  next  morning 
the  rebel  commander  went  on  board  the  steamer  "Alice 
Price,"  where  General  Burnside  had  his  headquarters,  to 
formally  surrender.  The  general  invited  Colonel  White 
to  breakfast  with  him,  after  which  the  terms  of  surrender 
were  drawn  up  and  signed.  Soon  afterwards  General 
Burnside,  accompanied  by  General  Parke,  proceeded  to 
the  fort,  followed  by  the  Fifth  Rhode  Island  battalion, 
which  carried  an  American  flag,  and  the  new  state  colors 
received  that  morning  from  Providence.  The,  rebel  stars 
and  bars  still  floated  over  the  fort,  and  the  garrison,  march 
ing  out,  stacked  their  arms,  after  which  they  returned  for 
their  baggage. 

General  Parke,  with  four  men,  entered  the  fort,  and  in 
a  few  moments  the  rebel  flag  was  hauled  down,  and  the 
stars  and  stripes  majestically  rose  in  its  place,  while  the 
well-known  veteran  Rhode  Island  band-master,  Capt.  Joe 
Greene,  standing  on  the  ramparts,  played  on  his  bugle 
the  "  Star  Spangled  Banner,"  following  it  with  '*  Yankee 
Doodle."  Soon  afterwards  the  Fourth  Rhode  Island  Regi 
ment,  headed  by  its  band,  marched  in  and  took  possession 
of  the  fort,  which  bore  witness  to  the  frightful  effects  of  the 
iron  storm.  Deep  holes  were  indented  in  the  brick-work, 
chimnevs  were  knocked  flat,  gun-carriages  were  broken 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE. 

to  pieces,  fifteen  out  of  eighteen  guns  pointing  in  one 
direction  were  disabled,  and  several  were  dismounted. 
General  Burnside,  after  congratulating  General  Parke  and 


FORT    MACON,    N.    C.     • 

his    officers,  returned    on  board    the  "Alice  Price,"  and 
issued  the  following  order  : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA,  | 

BEACFORT  HARBOR,  April  26,  1862.  j 

General  Orders,  No.  JO. 

The  general  commanding  takes  peculiar  pleasure  in  thanking  General 
Parke  and  his  brave  command  for  the  patient  labor,  fortitude,  and  cour 
age  displayed  in  the  investment  and  reduction  of  Fort  Macon. 

Every  patriotic  heart  will  be  filled  with  gratitude  to  God  for  having 
given  to  our  beloved  country  such  soldiers. 

The  regiments  and  artillery  companies  engaged   have  earned  the  right 
to  wear  upon  their  colors  and  guidons,  li  Fort  Macon,  April  26,  1862." 
Bv  command  of  Maj. -Gen.  A.   E.   BURXSIDE. 

LEWIS  RICHMOND,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


r^8  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

The  successes  of  General  Burnsicle  in  North  Carolina, 
which  gave  him  three  thousand  six  hundred  prisoners,  one 
hundred  and  seventy-nine  cannon,  and  a  large  quantity 
of  ammunition,  small  arms,  and  flags,  was  a  subject  of 
keen  mortification  to  the  Confederates,  and  their  President, 
Jefferson  Davis,  referred  to  the  result  of  the  battle  of 
Roanoke  Island  as  "  deeply  humiliating."  Complaint  was 
made  by  the  Southern  people  that  the  coast  of  North  Caro 
lina  had  been  abandoned  by  the  Confederate  government 
for  the  purpose  of  a  concentration  of  troops  in  Virginia, 
and  earnest  appeals  were  made  to  reinforce  the  garrison 
at  Wilmington. 

The  capture  of  Wilmington  was  earnestly  desired  by 
General  Burnside.  It  was  a  port  frequented  by  blockade- 
runners,  and  it  commanded  the  main  line  of  railroad  run 
ning  from  Richmond  to  the  Gulf  States.  It  was  not  only 
strongly  garrisoned,  however,  but  the  approaches  to  it 
were  capable  of  being  defended  with  a  small  force  against 
a  large  army  ;  neither  was  there  an  available  Union  fleet  to 
cooperate  with  the  land  forces. 

General  McClellan,  who  was  slowly  advancing  towards 
Richmond,  wrote  to  General  Burnside  that  no  further  offen 
sive  movement  was  to  be  made  into  the  interior  of  North 
Carolina  until  the  result  of  his  operations  on  the  lower  pen 
insula  should  be  determined.  The  irresolution  and  the 
delay  which  began  to  be  apparent  in  Virginia,  reflected  on 
North  Carolina,  and  General  Burnside  remained  confined 
within  the  limits  of  his  conquests  along  the  coast. 

The  arrival  of  the  Hon.  Edward  Stanley,  with  a  com 
mission  as  provisional  governor  of  North  Carolina,  relieved 
General  Burnside  of  great  responsibilities.  His  great  cause 
of  trouble  had  been  the  demands  for  the  restoration  of  the 
"contrabands,"  and  he  used  to  say  to  the  claimants: 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    HURXSIDE. 

"  Well,  I  suppose  you  are  ready  to  take  the  oath  of  allegi 
ance  to  the  United  States."  Some  would  at  once  declare 
their  unwillingness  to  take  the  oath,  and  then  they  would 
ask  after  their  "chattels." 

"Ah  !"  General  Burnside  would  blandly  answer,  "your 
negroes  are  at  work  out  on  the  fortifications.  Go  there, 
and  see  if  you  can  identify  them."  Exulting  in  their  suc 
cess,  the  slave-owners  would  hurry  away  to  the  fortifica 
tions,  and  when  they  found  their  "boys"  at  work  there 
would  sternly  order  them  to  go  home.  But  there  was 
no  indication  of  any  desire  to  obey.  On  the  contrary,  the 
colored  men  would  use  their  hoe-handles  somewhat  effect 
ively,  and  their  former  masters  would  be  unable  to  seize 
them. 

Governor  Stanley,  who  desired  to  restore  the  Union  "as 
it  was,"  promptly  revived  the  old  slave  code  of  North  Car 
olina.  A  school  for  colored  children,  which  had  been 
opened  at  Newbern  by  Mr.  Colyer,  was  closed,  as  by  the 
old  code  it  was  forbidden  to  teacli  negroes  to  read  or  write, 
under  severe  penalties,  and  no  colored  person  could  travel 
without  having  a  pass. 

The  canals  between  North  Carolina  and  Norfolk  having 
been  taken  by  the  Union  troops,  General  Burnside  passed 
through  them  in  June,  and  on  the  pth  was  on  the  wharf  at 
Fortress  Monroe,  to  meet  his  \vife,  who  had  come  by  the 
way  of  Baltimore  to  meet  him.  The  steamer  on  which 
she  came  was  not  moored  ere  he  was  on  board,  and  he 
hastened  to  the  hurricane  deck,  where  he  had  seen  her. 
But  she  was  not  there,  and,  pushing  his  way  through  the 
crowd  of  gentlemen  who  stood  with  outstretched  hands  to 
welcome  him,  he  passed  into  the  cabin,  where  they  met 
for  the  first  time  in  many  long  months.  During  that  period 
the  general  had  been  achieving  victories  for  his  country, 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

and  had  proved  himself  one  of  the  bravest  champions  of 
the  Union.  But  of  all  the  plaudits  which  had  greeted  him, 
none  had  sounded  so  grateful  as  the  loving  praise  of  his 
wife.  They  went  to  Washington  that  night,  and  stopped 
at  Willard's  Hotel.  The  general's  friends  desired  to  sere 
nade  him.  but  he  begged  them  not  to  do  so. 

General  Burnside  had  a  long  and  very  interesting  inter 
view  with  President  Lincoln  and  Secretary  Stanton.  He 
told  them  that  there  was  very  little  loyalty  in  North  Caro 
lina  should  slavery  not  be  sustained,  but  he  believed  that 
the  quicker  it  could  be  abolfshed  the  better.  He  would 
not  criticise  the  conduct  of  Governor  Stanley,  but  he  be 
lieved  that  the  governor  already  doubted  the  policy  of  it. 
From  Washington  General  Burnside  went  to  the  peninsula, 
where  he  spent  several  hours  with  General  McClellan,  dis 
cussing  future  military  operations. 

Returning  to  Newbern,  General  Burnside  was  formally 
presented  with  the  magnificent  sword  presented  to  him  by 
the  State  of  Rhode  Island.  All  the  Union  troops  paraded 
on  the  afternoon  of  June  2oth,  near  the  city.  There 
was  a  shower  while  the  lines  were  being  formed,  but  as 
General  Burnside  rode  on  to  the  field,  a  beautiful  rain 
bow  spanned  the  heavens,  forming  a  triumphant  arch  of 
gorgeous  splendor. 

Adjutant-General  Mauran,  of  Rhode  Island,  formally 
presented  the  sword,  concluding  his  remarks  by  saying  : 
"Be  pleased  to  accept  the  sword,  and  if  you  may  have 
occasion  to  draw  it  from  its  scabbard,  we  know  full  well 
that  it  will  be  in  defense  of  the  Union,  the  Constitution, 
and  the  laws;  and  when,  by  a  kind  Providence,  you  are 
again  permitted  to  return  to  the  peaceful  walks  of  life,  we 
will  all  be  proud  to  greet  you  as  one  who  has  proved  a 
good  and  faithful  servant." 


GEN.   AMBROSE  E.   BUR  XS  IDE.  j^j 

General  Burnside,  receiving  the  sword,  said:  "Gen 
eral  :  In  behalf  of  this  gallant  little  army  which  surrounds 
you,  I  beg  through  you  to  thank  the  State  of  Rhode  Island 
for  the  gift,  given  in 
appreciation  of  our 
services  in  the  battle 
of  Roanoke. 

"  Your    excellent 
governor    has    most 

O 

fittingly  said  that  the 
services  of  this  army 
have  been  in  this 
manner  remembered 
through  its  comman 
der.  Without  the 
skill,  courage,  pa 
tience,  and  fortitude 
of  the  general  offi- 

GEN. JOHN    G.    FOSTER. 

cers,  field  and  staff 

officers,  company  officers,  non-commissioned  officers,  and 
privates  of  this  corps  cCannec,  together  with  the  full  and 
hearty  cooperation  of  our  gallant  navy  in  these  waters, 
the  State  of  Rhode  Island  would  have  been  deprived  the 
pleasure  of  giving,  and  I  debarred  the  proud  satisfaction 
of  receiving,  this  elegant  sword. 

"On  your  return  to  our  much-beloved  State,  say  to  its 
gallant  governor,  its  Legislature,  and  its  ever  brave  and 
loyal  people,  that  they  are  represented  in  my  command  by 
as  hardy  and  courageous  a  band  as  ever  left  Narragan- 
sett's  shores,  and  should  you  meet  any  of  the  officials  or 
citizens  of  our  sister  states  that  have  contributed  so  much 
to  our  strength,  say  to  them  that  they,  too,  have  given  to 
us  soldiers  who  have,  in  common  with  others,  been  lore- 


152 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 


most  in-  the  combat  for  the  suppression  of  this  wicked 
rebellion. 

"  I  now  beg  to  thank  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  for  the 
kind  manner  in  which  she  has  been  pleased  to  remember 
me  ;  and  to  thank  you  for  the  kind  interest  you  have  man 
ifested  in  the  presentation  of  this  most  acceptable  gift." 

A  few  days  after  this  presentation  General  Burnside  was 
summoned  to  a  conference  with  General  McClellan,  the 
result  of  which  was  his  withdrawal,  with  the  greater  por 
tion  of  his  command,  from  North  Carolina,  to  cooperate 
more  directly  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  retained 
a  nominal  authority  in  North  Carolina,  howrever,  until  the 
26th  of  August,  when  he  issued  the  following  farewell 
order,  and  General  Foster  succeeded  to  the  vacant  com 
mand  : 

llEAUqTARTERS  NlNTII  ARMY  CoRI'S.  ) 

FRKDKKICKSHURG,  VA.,  Aug.  26.  ) 
General  Orders.  No.  13. 

The  commanding  general,  on  retiring  from  the  Department  of  North 
Carolina,  desires  to  express  hi;*  deep  regret  at  taking  leave  of  the  gallant 
soldiers  who  have  been  his  comrades  through  so  many  trials.  The  re 
quirements  of  the  service  prevented  his  bidding  them  farewell  in  person, 
when  suddenlv  called  to  other  scenes  of  dutv,  and  he  now  desires  to  pav 
a  high  and  well-deserved  tribute  to  their  discipline,  their  patience,  and 
their  courage.  In  the  trving  scenes  at  Ilatteras  Inlet,  and  on  the  battle 
fields  of  North  Carolina,  these  soldiers'  virtues  were  fully  shown,  and  he 
now  parts  from  them  as  from  well-tried  friends,  who  have  alwavs  proved 
true  to  their  leaders  and  to  their  country,  and  on  whom,  in  anv  emer 
gency,  he  could  always  relv. 

By  command  of  Major-General  BURNSIDE. 
LEWIS  RICHMOND,  Assistant  Adjutant-GeHeral. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


ORDERED  TO  REINFORCE  GENERAL  McCLELLAN  —  OFFERED  THE 
COMMAND  OF  THE  ARMV  OF  THE  POTOMAC  —  VISITS  NEW  YORK 
—  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  NINTH  ARMY  CORPS  -  GENERAL  POPE'S 
DISASTERS  —EVACUATION  OF  FREDERICKSBURG  BY  BURNSIDE  — 
A  NIGHT-MARCH—RETREAT  OF  THE  UNION  FORCES  ON  WASH 
INGTON  —  INSUBORDINATION. 

ORDERED,   with  two  divisions  of  his  North  Caro 
lina  army,  to  reinforce  General  McClellan,  who 
had    been  obliged    to  retreat  from    before  Rich 
mond,    General    Burnside   embarked   with   his   forces   for 
Virginia.      When   off  Roanoke  Island  a   messenger  from 
Colonel   Hawkins  boarded  his  flag-ship   with  the  intelli 
gence  that  General  McClellan  had  driven  the  Confeder- 

o 

ates  from  Richmond.  Upon  this  information  the  troops 
were  ordered  back  to  Newbern,  as  it  was  expected  by 
General  Burnside  that  he  would  be  ordered  to  advance  on 
Raleigh.  After  waiting  several  days,  the  true  story  of 


LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

McClellan's  reverse  was  learned,  and  General  Burnside 
again  started  to  reinforce  him. 

Meeting  President  Lincoln  on  his  arrival  at  Fortress 
Monroe,  General  Burnside  had  a  conference  with  him,  and 
then  went  to  Baltimore,  where  he  again  met  Mrs.  Burn- 
side.  They  went  together  to  Washington,  where,  at  the 
conclusion  of  another  long  interview  with  President  Lin 
coln,  General  Halleck,  and  Secretary  Stanton,  the  Presi 
dent  offered  General  Burnside  the  command  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  which  he  promptly  and  peremptorily  de 
clined.  The  next  day  he  escorted  Mrs.  Burnside  to  New 
York,  and  while  there,  visited  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad 
office,  where  he  had  some  business  matters  to  look  after. 

General  Burnside  continued  wearing  his  Rhode  Island 
uniform  blouse  and  slouch  hat,  so  that  he  was  easily  rec 
ognized.  No  sooner  did  he  enter  the  building  in  which 
his  old  office  was  situated,  than  an  enthusiastic  crowd 
began  to  gather  in  front  of  it,  and  to  call  on  him  for  a 
speech.  Finding  there  was  no  escape,  the  general  went 
out  on  a  balcony  over  the  door-way,  where  he  was  wel 
comed  by  a  shout  which  rang  far  and  wide.  Removing 
his  hat,  and  with  his  face  lighted  up  by  that  hopeful  smile 
so  peculiar  to  him,  he  said  : 

"  My  friends  :  The  enthusiastic  welcome  you  have 
extended  to  me  has  quite  taken  me  aback.  I  expected  to 
come  here  quietly  and  to  go  away  without  making  any  ex 
citement  ;  but  the  kind  interest  you  take  in  me  proves 
that  you  will  also  take  some  interest  in  what  I  have  to  tell 
you.  It  is  this  :  That  all  is  going  well,  if  you  will  only 
fill  up  the  old  regiments.  (Voices  —  'They  shall  be  filled 
up.')  This  is  the  best  advice  I  have  to  give  }'ou  —  fill  up 
the  old  regiments.  So  many  men  have  so  many  times 
predicted  the  time  of  the  end  of  the  Rebellion,  and  been 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 


mistaken,  that  I  will  not  do  so  now;    but  I  can  say  it  will 

be  very  soon,  if  the  old  regiments  are  filled  up.     I  thank 

you  for  the  kind  reception  you  have  given  me,  and  hope  to 

meetyouhere  again 

w hen    peace    an d 

quiet   reign   among 

us." 

Returning  to  his 
command,  which 
h  ad  mean  w  h  i  1  e 
been  reorganized  as 
the  Ninth  Army 
Corps,  General 
Burnside  endeavor 
ed  to  cooperate  with 
General  McClellan, 
who  was  in  a  short 
time  virtually  de 
posed,  and  General 
Halleck  placed  in 
command.  The  Ninth  Corps  was  ordered  to  Fredericks- 
burg,  having  been  reinforced  by  a  division  under  General 
Stevens  to  replace  that  of  General  Foster,  and  made  a 
part  of  the  "  Army  of  Virginia."  This  army  of  occupa 
tion  had  been  placed  under  the  command  of  Ma]'. -Gen. 
John  Pope,  who  boasted  that  he  was  fresh  from  a  campaign 
in  the  West,  where  he  had  "seen  only  the  backs  of 
rebels."  General  Burnside  was  his  superior  in  rank,  but, 
with  his  customary  devotion  to  his  country,  he  reported  to 
General  Pope,  and  obeyed  his  orders  with  cheerfulness  and 
promptitude. 

General  Halleck  soon  became  involved  in  an  acrimoni 
ous  correspondence  with  General  McClellan,  who  was  dil- 


GEN.    GEOKGE    It.     MCCLELLAN. 


1^6  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

atory  in  abandoning  the  peninsula  and  hastening  to  the 
relief  of  General  Pope,  who  was  hard  pressed  by  the  en 
emy  under  General  Stonewall  Jackson.  Indeed,  nothing 
but  the  timely  arrival  of  the  Ninth  Corps  at  Fredericksburg 
saved  General  Pope's  left  flank  from  being  turned,  and  the 
"  Army  of  Virginia  "  from  being  cut  off  from  its  communi 
cations  with  Washington. 

o 

While  General  Pope  complained  —  and  with  some  reason 
—  of  the  want  of  zeal,  and  even  of  subordination,  on  the 
part  of  the  generals  of  the  "  Army  of  the  Potomac"  who 
had  been  placed  under  his  orders,  he  warmly  eulogized  that 
portion  of  the  Ninth  Corps  which  had  come  to  his  assist 
ance  under  the  command  of  General  Reno.  "I  cannot 
express  myself  too  highly,"  said  General  Pope  in  his  re 
port,  "  of  the  zealous,  gallant,  and  cheerful  manner  in 
which  General  Reno  deported  himself  from  the  beginning 
to  the  end  of  the  operations  ;  —  ever  prompt,  earnest,  and 
soldierly,  he  was  the  model  of  a  soldier  and  a  gallant 
gentleman." 

Tlie  Ninth  Corps  mourned  the  loss  of  Brig. -Gen.  Isaac 
I.  Stevens,  who  fell  at  Chantilly  while  leading  a  charge 
and  waving  aloft  the  colors  of  one  of  his  regiments.  Gen 
eral  Burnside's  headquarters  had  meanwhile  been  at  Fred 
ericksburg,  where  he  had  sent  forward  nearly  forty  regi 
ments  of  infantry  to  the  aid  of  General  Pope,  in  addition 
to  a  large  force  of  artillery  and  cavalry.  Some  of  the 
new  regiments  having  displayed  a  marauding  spirit,  Gen 
eral  Burnside  issued  the  following  order  : 

HEAIH^rARTERS    XlNTII    ARMY    CORPS, 

NEAR  FREDERICKSHURG.  VA.,  Aug.  12,  1862. 

General  Orders,  JVo.  S. 

A  misapprehension  seems  to  exist  as  to  the  spirit  of  an  order  from  the 
President  of  the   United   States,  concerning  the  subsisting  of  troops  in 


GEN.   AMBROSE  E.    BUKNSIDE. 


157 


the  enemy's  territory,  which  will  lead  to  serious  license  unless  promptly 
checked,  and  with  this  object  the  commanding  general  calls  for  a  strict 
observance  of  the  following: 

The  seizure  of  private  property,  under  any  circumstances,  by  unauthor 
ized  parties,  is  strictly  prohibited. 

The  wastefulness  of  indiscriminate  plunder  impoverishes  a  countrv, 
while  it  adds  nothing  to  the  support  of  the  army;  policy,  as  well  as  hu 
manity  to  the  inhabitants,  dictates  that  all  levies  should  be  made  accord 
ing  Jo  established  rules,  and  under  the  charge  of  discreet  and  competent 
officers. 

Whenever,  in  the  judgment  of  the  commanding  general,  it  shall  become 
necessary  to  levy  on  private  property,  the  proper  officers  will  be  ap 
pointed,  who  will  carry  out  the  measure  according  to  the  usages  of  civil 
ized  warfare,  and  with  the  determination  on  the  part  of  the  commanding 
general,  that  this  command  shall  not  lapse  into  barbarism.  All  unauthor 
ized  and  irregular  seizures  will  be  followed  by  severe  and  speedy  punish 
ment. 

By  command  of  Maj.-Gen.   A.   E.  BURXSIDE. 

LEWIS  RICHMOND,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

It  finally  became  necessary  for  the  Union  forces  to  evac 
uate  FYedericksburg  and  retreat  to  Acquia  Creek.  Three 
bridges  across  the  Rappahannock,  a  machine-shop,  the 
warehouses  of  the  quartermaster  and  commissary,  and  a 
bakery  were  burned.  Just  before  the  troops  started,  while 
columns  of  flame  and  smoke  rose  to  the  sky,  General 
Burnside  was  observed  walking  leisurely  to  and  fro,  dis 
patching  orders  to  the  different  regiments,  and  watching  in 
calm  silence  the  movements  of  the  various  commands.  It 
was,  indeed,  an  hour  of  deep  interest  and  concern  to  him  ; 
for  days  he  had  watched  with  sleepless  vigilance  every 
movement  of  his  own  and  the  enemy's  forces,  as  they  af 
fected  his  own  position,  and  something  of  weariness  could 
be  detected  in  his  usual  elastic  step. 

At  this  juncture  a  poor  woman  with  three  lovely  chil 
dren  clinging  to  her  side  passed  by,  each  carrying  some 
little  articles  of  household  furniture.  The  quick  eye  of  the 


158  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

general  immediately  recognized  her  as  an  excellent  Union 
lady  of  Fredericksburg,  who  was  escaping  with  her  chil 
dren  and  little  effects  from  the  town.  "  Have  you  anything 
else  down  at  the  bridge,  madam?"  asked  the  general. 
"  Only  a  bed  and  a  few  small  articles,  sir,"  she  timidly  an 
swered.  "  Send  down  an  ambulance,  wagon-master,  and 
have  them  brought  up  and  carried  to  the  depot,"  was  the 
general's  order,  and  it  was  obeyed.  In  a  few  minutes  the 
poor  widow  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  all  her  remaining 
goods  safely  deposited  on  the  cars  for  Acquia  Creek. 

The  night-march  from  the  Rappahannock  River  to  Ac 
quia  Creek  was  very  difficult,  the  roads  having  been  so  cut 
up  by  incessant  travel  that  they  were  almost  impassable  in 
some  places.  General  Burnside  kept  up  with  the  train, 
and  seemed  always  in  the  place  where  there  was  the  most 
difficulty.  Several  times  the  column  came  to  a  halt,  by 
reason  of  the  blocking  of  the  narrow  road  with  stalled 
wagons,  and  there  it  might  have  remained  until  broad 
daylight,  for  all  that  the  soldiers  seemed  disposed  to  do 
towards  righting  matters.  Lazy  troopers  sat  dozing  on 
their  horses,  while  the  march  of  a  whole  army  was  hin 
dered  for  want  of  their  help,  and  if  Burnside  himself  had 
not  several  times  dismounted,  waded  knee-deep  into  the 
mud-holes,  and  put  his  own  shoulder  to  the  wheels,  thus 
shaming  his  men  into  doing  something,  the  rebels  might 
have  captured  the  whole  force. 

By  daylight  the  whole  of  the  train  was  safely  through 
the  hills  and  encamped  in  sight  of  Acquia  Creek  Land 
ing,  under  the  protecting  fire  of  four  gun-boats  anchored 
in  the  Potomac.  Without  waiting  for  sleep,  an  hour  of 
which  he  had  scarcely  experienced  for  forty-eight  hours, 
General  Burnside  rode  up  to  the  hill-sides  overlooking 
the  place,  and  selected  positions  where  batteries  were 


'GEN,    Ai\JlUtO^E  E.    BURNSIDE. 


J59 


planted  to  enfilade  the  approach  to  the  landing.  He  at 
once  commenced  embarking  his  troops,  and  when  they 
had  left,  he  destroyed  the  government  buildings  at  Acquia 
Creek,  and  started  for  Washington. 

Meanwhile  General 
McClellan,  with  a 
strong  force,  remain 
ed  inactive  at  Alex 
andria,  although  he 
had  been  ordered  by 
General  Halleck  to 
place  himself  within 
easy  supporting  dis 
tance  of  General 
Pope  ;  and  a  copy  of 
this  order  was  sent 
to  Pope  at  the  same 
time  by  Halleck,  in 
order  that  he  might 
know  what  were  his 
reliances.  Pope,  on  the  strength  of  this  order,  requested 
Franklin  and  Simmer  to  come  up,  and  lie  asked  from 
McClellan  rations,  and  forage  for  his  horses.  They  had 
been  nearly  two  days  without  food,  and  the  road  to 
McClellan  was  all  the  way  within  our  lines.  The  answer 
of  the  general  who  received  this  appeal,  and  knew  its 
vital  character,  was,  that  if  General  Pope  would  send  a 
cavalry  escort  (the  distance  being  nearlv  thirty  miles)  he 
should  have  the  desired  supplies.  "  When  I  received  this 
answer,"  says  Pope,  in  his  report,  '•  I  gave  up  all  hope, 
for  I  could  not  withdraw  any  portion  of  my  force  from  the 
front,  and  if  I  should  gain  any  advantage  of  the  enemy, 
I  had  no  means,  without  cavalry,  of  following  it  up." 


GEN.   JOHN    POl'K. 


T6o  LIFE  AND   PC B LIC    S Eli  VICES    OP 

The  reinforcements  under  Sumner  and  Franklin  were 
likewise  withheld  till  Saturday,  and  on  the  final  day  of 
strife,  Fitz  John  Porter,  with  his  division,  and  Griffin, 
with  his  troops,  stood  still  in  presence  of  the  enemy. 
Even  the  very  soldiers,  who  had  been  taught  to  despise 
Pope  for  that  opening  proclamation  which  reflected  upon 
the  strategy  of  McClellan,  acted  badly,  fought  moodily, 
and  almost  threw  down  their  arms. 

The  administration  began  to  be  alarmed,  and  to  fear  for 
the  safety  of  Washington.  General  McClellan,  while  re 
fusing  to  go  to  the  rescue  of  Pope,  telegraphed  the  Presi 
dent  as  follows  : 

"  I  am  clear  that  one  of  two  courses  should  be  adopted  :  ist.  To  con 
centrate  all  our  available  forces  to  open  communication  with  Pope.  2nd. 
To  leave  Pope  to  get  out  of  his  scrape,  and  at  once  use  all  our  means 
to  make  the  capital  perfectly  safe. 

"  No  middle  ground  will  now  answer.  Tell  me  what  you  wish  me  to 
do,  and  I  will  do  all  in  my  power  to  accomplish  it.  I  wish  to  know  what 
my  orders  and  authority  are.  I  .ask  for  nothing,  but  will  obey  whatever 
orders  you  give.  I  only  ask  a  prompt  decision,  that  I  may  at  once  give 
the  necessary  orders.  It  will  not  do  to  delay  longer." 

To  which  the  President,  at  4.10  P.  M.,  responded  as 
follows  : 

"  Yours  of  to-day  just  received.  I  think  your  first  alternative —  to  wit : 
'  To  concentrate  all  our  available  forces  to  open  communication  with 
Pope'  —  is  the  right  one.  But  I  wish  not  to  control.  That  I  now  leave 
to  General  Halleck,  aided  bv  vour  counsels. 

"A.   LINCOLN." 

General  Pope  was  defeated  and  driven  back  on  Centre- 
ville,  and  the  "Army  of  Virginia  "  was  wrecked  beyond 
repair  ;  while  the  terrified  officials  at  Washington  besought 
General  McClellan  to  resume  the  command  of  which  he 
had  been  deprived.  The  general  came  to  Washington, 


GEN.   AMBROSE  E.   BURNS  IDE. 


161 


master  of  the  situation,  and  walking  into  the  headquarters 
of  General  Halleck,  said,  with  an  air  of  injured  innocence  : 

"  I  understand,  General  Halleck,  you  have  censured 
me." 

"  I  have  not  censured  you,"  was  General  Halleck's  reply. 

"Then,  sir,"  said  McClellan,  in  his  usual  deliberate  style 
of  speech,  "I  have  been  greatly  misinformed." 

"  I  did  not  censure  you,  General  McClellan,"  continued 
the  commander-in-chief,  "because  I  did  not  know  what 
your  condition  was,  or  what  excuses  you  might  have  to 
offer.  I  did  state,  however,  most  emphatically,  both  to 
the  President  and  the  Secretary  of  War,  that  I  had  expected 
you  to  be  within  supporting  distance  of  General  Pope  on 
Thursday;  but  I  did  not  censure  you,  because  I  was  not 
then  in  possession  of  evidence  which  I  soon  expect  to 
obtain." 


THE  COMMAND  OFFERED  A  SECOND  TIME  TO  BURXSIDE  —  RESTORA 
TION  OF  GENERAL  McCLELLAN  —  ADVANCE  OF  THE  CONFEDER 
ATES  INTO  MARYLAND  — PROMPT  MOVEMENT  BY  BURNSIDE  — 
BATTLE  OF  SOUTH  MOUNTAIN  —  DESPERATE  FIGHTING  —  TRI 
UMPHANT  VICTORY  —  DEATH  OF  GENERAL  RENO  —  PREPARA 
TIONS  FOR  A  DECISIVE  BATTLE. 

PRESIDENT  LINCOLN  and  his  advisers  were 
sorely  troubled.  The  Army  of  the  Potomac  had 
returned  from  the  peninsula  demoralized  and  insub 
ordinate,  and  the  army  of  Virginia  had  been  defeated  and 
driven  back  upon  Washington,  which  was  threatened  by 
the  victorious  enemy.  General  Burnside  was  for  the  sec 
ond  time  invited  to  take  command,  and  he  not  only  refused, 
but  urged  the  President  to  restore  General  McClellan. 
This  was  undoubtedly  the  wish  of  a  large  majority  of  the 
surviving  officers  and  soldiers,  and  of  many  leading  mem 
bers  of  Congress  and  journalists.  General  McClellan 
was  accordingly  placed  in  command  of  "  all  the  troops  for 
the  defense  of  the  capital,"  but  he  soon  found  that  General 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    Kl'ItNS/DE. 


163 


Lee,  withdrawing  his  troops  from  before  Washington,  was 
marching  into  Maryland,  where  he  hoped  to  be  supported 
by  a  general  uprising  of  the  people. 

General  McClellan 
having  detailed  suffi 
cient  garrisons  for  the 
occupation  of  the  nu 
merous  forts  around 
Washington,  organized 
an  army  which  was  at 
once  started  to  meet  the  > 
enemy.  General  Burn-  *| 
side  had  the  advance,  ^1 
in  command  of  the  right 
wing,  formed  of  the 
First  Corps,  General 
Hooker,  and  the  Ninth 
Corps,  General  Reno. 
General  Simmer  had  the  centre,  formed  of  the  Second 
Corps,  the  Twelfth  Corps,  General  Williams,  and  Gen 
eral  Sykes'  division  of  the  Fifth  Corps.  General  Frank 
lin  had  the  left,  formed  of  the  Sixth  Corps  and  one  divi 
sion  of  the  Fourth  Corps,  General  Couch. 

General  Burnside  moved  from  Washington  on  the  3d 
of  September,  with  the  Ninth  Corps,  and  was  joined  a  few 
days  afterwards  by  the  First  Corps.  They  found  some 
traces  of  the  rebels,  as  they  advanced,  but  the  people  of 
Maryland  had  not  sympathized  with  them,  and  gave  a 
warm  greeting  to  the  Union  forces. 

The  advance  of  General  Burnside's  column  reached 
Frederick  City  on  the  afternoon  of  Sept.  i2th,  driving  be 
fore  it  the  pickets  of  the  enemy,  which  were  General  Lee's 
rear  guards.  The  reception  given  to  General  Burnside,  as 


GEN.  JESSE    L.    RENO. 


i64 


LIFE   AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


he  afterwards  entered  the  town,  was  an  ovation.  The 
people  illuminated  their  houses,  the  stars  and  stripes  were 
thrown  to  the  breeze,  patriotic  songs  were  sung,  and  re 
freshments  were  urged  upon  officers  and  men.  General 
Burnside's  passage  through  the  streets  was  blocked  up  by 
citizens,  eager  to  thank  and  bless  him  as  their  deliverer ; 
ladies  crowded  about  and  insisted  upon  kissing  his  hands, 
and  from  the  balconies  of  private  residences  bouquets 
rained  upon  him.  General  McClellan,  who  reached  Fred 
erick  the  next  morning,  was  received  with  a  similar  enthu 
siastic  demonstration. 

The  promptness  with  which  General  Burnside  had  moved 
forward  was  evidently  unexpected  by  General  Lee,  who 
had  sent  six  of  his  best  brigades  to  capture  Harper's  Ferry, 
while  General  Hill's  division  of  live  brigades,  with  Steu- 
art's  cavalry,  were  to  hold  Turner's  Gap  until  their  return, 
when  he  would  be  in  a  position  to  give  battle  with  his  old 
force.  The  position  was  well  chosen,  the  old  national  road 
leading  over  a  mountain  thickly  covered  with  woods. 
The  road  ascending  the  side  of  the  mountain  was  steep 
and  narrow,  and  so  filled  with  large  stones  that  quick  lo 
comotion  was  out  of  the  question,  and  a  charge  a  very 
difficult  thing  to  undertake.  The  high,  massive  stone  walls 
on  either  side  of  the  road  were  used  as  fortifications,  over 
which  they  could  pqur  volley  after  volley  into  an  opposing 
force,  while  they  were  comparatively  free  from  danger,  or, 
as  soon  as  they  had  fired  could  kneel  and  load  in  safety. 
General  Burnside,  when  he  marched  over  this  road  in 
command  of  the  Rhode  Island  regiments,  in  the  summer  of 
1861,  had  noted  its  capabilities  for'  military  defense,  and 
now  availed  himself  of  them. 

On  the  morning  of  Sept.  i/fth,  General  Burnside,  with 
the  Ninth  and  First  corps,  started  to  meet  the  enemy. 


GEN.    AMJ1KOSE  E.    BURNSIDE.  ^ 

The  Ninth  Corps,  in  admirable  righting  trim,  and  under 
the  command  of  General  Reno,  was  organized  in  four  di 
visions,  commanded  respectively  by  Generals  Cox,  Stur- 
gis,  Rodman,  and  Wilcox.  General  Cox's  Kanavvha 
division,  which  had  won  laurels  in  West  Virginia,  was 
composed  of  six  regiments  of  Ohio  infantry,  with  an  Ohio 
battery.  Moving  onward  from  Middletown  towards  South 
Mountain,  which  is  about  three  miles  distant,  the  Union 
army  met  a  determined  resistance.  The  battle  was  at  first 
an  artillery  duel  between  batteries  which  fired  at  each 
other  at  long  range,  but  it  was  not  long  before  the  infantry 
came  up  and  the  battle  became  general. 

General  Cox's  division  was  the  first  to  close  with  the 
enemy.  The  Twenty-third  Ohio  Regiment,  then  under 
the  command, of  Lieut. -Col.  Rutherford  B.  Hayes  (after 
wards  President  of  the  United  States),  was  ordered  to 
make  a  detour  to  the  left,  and  after  marching  a  short  dis 
tance,  the  two  companies  thrown  out  as  skirmishers  came 
within  thirtv  yards  of  two  Confederate  regiments  before 

».         J  O 

discovering  them.  The  Confederates,  who  were  lying 
down  behind  a  ridge,  sprang  up,  poured  a  terrific  fire  into 
the  Twenty-third,  and  charged  upon  them.  The  Twenty- 
third  stood  firm  to  receive  them,  but  the  enemy  halted  be 
fore  the  line  of  bayonets,  and  seemed  uncertain  what  to  do. 
The  Twenty-third  was  now  ordered  to  charge  the  Confed 
erates,  and  dashing  forward  with  a  regimental  yell,  large 
numbers  of  the  enemy  were  bayoneted,  while  the  remain 
der,  unable  to  stand  the  rushing  charge,  fell  back  in  con 
fusion.  The  left  was  turned,  and  sixteen  prisoners  cap- 
tared  in  this,  one  of  the  most  brilliant  charges  of  the  war. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Hayes,  during  the  charge,  felt  a  stun 
ning  blow,  and  found  that  a  large  musket-ball  had  struck 
his  left  arm  above  the  elbow,  badly  fracturing  the  entire 


j66  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SER\7JCE8    OF 

bone.  Fearing  an  artery  might  be  severed,  he  asked  a 
soldier  to  bandage  the  wound,  and  a  few  moments  after, 
through  exhaustion,  lie  fell.  Recovering  from  a  state  of 
unconsciousness  while  down,  in  a  few  moments,  and 
observing  that  his  men  had  fallen  back  to  the  woods  for 
shelter,  he  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  with  unusual  vehe 
mence  ordered  them  to  come  forward,  which  they  did. 
He  continued  fighting  some  time  at  the  head  of  his  men, 
but,  becoming  exhausted,  fell  a  second  time,  still  giving 
orders  to  fight  it  out.  A  surgeon  having  dressed  his 
wound,  he  again  made  his  appearance  on  the  field,  and 
animated  his  regiment  until  the  rest  of  the  brigade  came 
up.  A  brilliant  bayonet  charge  up  the  hill  dislodged  the 
Confederates  and  drove  them  into  the  woods  beyond. 

The  fight  became  general,  the  Confederates  retreating 
up  the  mountain  slowly,  and  resolutely  contesting  every 
foot  of  ground.  Heavy  columns  were  pushed  successively 
forward  by  Burnside,  driving  the  Confederates  back,  until 
about  half  the  mountain  was  gained.  Between  two  and 
three  o'clock  the  Confederates  formed  in  hue  of  battle,  and 
the  engagement  became  general.  The  musketry  fire,  as 
described  by  officers  engaged,  was  the  most  continuous 
and  sustained  of  the  war.  It  rolled  rapidly  and  fiercely 
from  right  to  left,  and  back  and  forward,  with  irresistible 
fury.  The  turnpike  was  narrow,  and  the  ground  on  either 
side  covered  with  woods,  which,  with  fallen  timber  and 
massive  stone  walls,  obstructed  the  advance  of  the  Union 
troops. 

General  Burnside  ordered  General  Gibbon  to  the  front, 
and  that  brave  officer  advanced  a  regiment  on  each  side  of 
the  road,  preceded  by  skirmishers  and  followed  by  the 
other  two  regiments  in  double  column,  the  artillery  moving 
on  the  road  until  within  range  of  the  enemy's  guns,  which 


(7A\V.    .-\MJiltOSE    E.    BURNSIDE. 


167 


were  firing  on  the  column  tVom  the  gorge.  The  brigade 
advanced  steadilv,  driving  the  Confederates  from  their 
position  in  the  woods  and  behind  stone  walls.  It  reached 
the  top  of  the  pass,  re 
ceived  a  heavy  lire,  but 
persistently  held  its  own, 
and  poured  in  grape  and 
canister,  doing  fearful 
execution,  and  scatter 
ing  the  Confederates  like 
chaff  before  the  wind. 
As  night  approached. 
General  M  c  C 1  e  1 1  a  n 
came  on  the  field,  and 
approved  the  arrange 
ments,  dispositions,  and 
orders  which  General 
Burn  side  had  made. 
The  enemy  finally  gave 
way  before  a  charge 
made  by  the  Ninth  Corps  under  General  Reno,  who  was 
mortally  wounded  just  as  the  victory  was  achieved.  About 
nine  o'clock  the  enemy,  giving  up  the  contest,  retreated 
down  the  mountain,  leaving  his  dead  unburied,  his  wounded 
uncared  for,  and  1,500  prisoners. 

The  Union  losses  were  312  killed,  1,234  wounded,  and 
twenty-two  missing.  Strange  as  it  may  appear,  General 
McClellan  did  not  mention  the  name  of  General  Burnside 
in  his  dispatch  to  Washington  announcing  the  rout  pf  the 
rebel  army.  It  was,  however,  known  to  all  that  the  bat 
tle  of  South  Mountain  was  fought  under  the  direction  ot 
General  Burnside,  \vho  moved  his  troops  with  great  prompt 
ness,  and  carried  a  position  which  many  had  regarded  as 


GEN.  J.    D.    COX. 


LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

tenable.  The  Ninth  Corps,  which  he  had  organized,  bore 
the  brunt  of  the  battle,  having  144  men  killed,  and  546 
wounded.  The  greatest  loss  was  that  of  General  Reno,  a 
dauntless  soldier  and  a  gallant  gentleman.  '-I  will  not 
attempt,  in  a  public  report,"  said  General  Burnside  in  his 
report  of  the  operations  of  his  command  at  South  Moun 
tain,  "  to  express  the  deep  sorrow  which  the  death  of  the 
gallant  Reno  caused  me.  A  long  and  intimate  acquaint 
ance  and  extended  services  in  the  same  field,  and  an  inti 
mate  knowledge  of  his  high  and  noble  character,  had  en 
deared  him  to  me,  as  well  as  to  all  with  whom  he  had 
served.  No  more  valuable  life  than  his  has  been  lost  dur 
ing  this  contest  for  our  country's  preservation." 

President  Lincoln,  on  receiving  the  gratifying  intelli 
gence  of  the  victory  of  South  Mountain,  sent  the  follow 
ing  message  :  "  God  bless  you,  and  all  with  you.  Destroy 
the  rebel  army  if  possible."  The  Union  army  bivouacked 
that  night  on  the  battle-field,  and  in  the  morning  nearly 
all  the  men  wandered  over  the  ground,  pointing  out  to  one 
another  where  a  brilliant  charge  was  made,  or  where  a 
comrade  fell.  On  the  road,  behind  the  stone  wall,  the 
dead  were  thickly  strewn.  The  death  of  many  was  so  in 
stantaneous  that  their  arms  were  in  full  position  of  firing 
their  pieces,  wrhile  others  still  retained  the  bitten  cartridges 
in  their  hands.  There  was  also  a  great  number  of  Con 
federate  dead  lying  in  the  woods  on  the  slope  of  the  moun 
tain.  Early  in  the  morning  parties  were  detailed  to  bury 
the  dead,  and  the  mangled  bodies  were  deposited  in  their 
last  camping-ground  with  the  most  tender  care.  The 
wounded  of  both  armies  were  conveyed  to  hospitals  in  the 
rear,  where  the  surgeons  worked  hard  all  night.  The 
ladies  of  Middletown  assembled  at  the  hospitals  in  large 
numbers,  soothing  the  sufferers. 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BUR  XS  IDE. 

General  McClellan,  having  concentrated  his  entire  forces, 
which  amounted  to  nearly,  if  not  quite,  one  hundred  and 
fifteen  thousand  men,  reorganized  his  commands,  placing 
General  Burnside  in  command  of  the  Ninth  Corps.  He 
was  received  by  his  old  command  with  shouts  of  the  wild 
est  delight,  to  which  he  responded  in  his  usually  pleas 
ant  manner. 

General  McClellan  pushed  on  after  the  enemy,  tele 
graphing  to  General  Halleck,  "I  have  just  learned  from 
General  Hooker  in  the  advance  —  who  states  that  the  in 
formation  is  perfectly  reliable  —  that  the  enemy  is  mak 
ing  for  the  river  in  a  perfect  panic,  and  General  Lee  last 
night  slated  publicly  that  he  must  admit  they  had  been 
shockingly  whipped.  I  must  hurry  everything  forward  to 
endeavor  to  press  their  retreat  to  the  utmost.''  But  two 
days  were  lost,  during  which  General  Lee  was  enabled  to 
entrench  himself  across  An  tie  tarn  Creek,  in  front  of  the  vil 
lage  of  Sharpsburg.  Frowning  earth-works  were  thrown 
up  on  the  crest  of  hills,  protecting  batteries  which  would 
sweep  every  stretch  of  open  ground  over  which  the  Union 
soldiers  might  advance.  The  enemy  thus  entrenched  in  a 
position  favorably  located  for  both  offensive  and  defensive 
operations,  had  the  advantage. 

On  Tuesday  night  General  McClellan  formed  his  plan 
of  attack.  General  Hooker  was  ordered  to  cross  Antie- 
tam  Creek  at  the  upper  ford  with  his  whole  corps,  attack 
the  enemy's  left,  and  occupy  a  position  on  the  Confederate 
flank.  Generals  Sumner,  Franklin,  and  Mansfield  were 
to  cooperate  with  and  sustain  his  attack.  General  Burn- 
side  was  to  cross  the  creek  lower  down,  over  a  stone  bridge, 
and  attack  the  rebels'  right,  move  on  Sharpsburg  also, 
which  was  in  their  rear,  and  thus  cut  oft"  their  retreat,  The 
commands  of  Generals  Porter  and  Sykes  were  held  in 


170 


GE.V.    AMBROSE   E.    KUHXSIDE. 


reserve.  General  Burnside  summoned  his  division  gener 
als  to  his  headquarters,  and  gave  them  the  orders  requisite 
to  carry  out  that  part  of  the  programme  assigned  to  the 
Ninth  Corps.  "  Did  not  you  hear  what  I  have  been 
saying,"  he  asked,  after  he  had  concluded.  "Yes,"  they 
all  answered.  "  Then  say  it  over,"  said  the  general  ;  and 
the  generals,  like  school-boys  in  a  class,  repeated  their 
lessons. 


....^Jjg!». 
^^l£^fe 


Stone  Bridge  at  Anlietam. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


THE  RATTLE  OF  ANTIETAM  —  GALLANTRY  OF  THE  NINTH  CORPS- 
DESIRE  OF  I5URNSIDE  TO  FOLLO\V  THE  FLVIXG  FOE  — INAC 
TIVITY  OF  McCLELLAX  —  RURNSIDE  PLACED  IN  COMMAND  — 
ORDER  ON  TAKING  COMMAND  — A  DIFFICULT  TASK. 

THE  battle  of  Antietam,  fought  on  Wednesday, 
Sept.  17,  1862,  made  the  vicinity  of  the  little  vil 
lage  of  Sharpsburg,  Md.,  memorable  thenceforth 
in  our  national  history.  It  is  situated  on  Antietam  Creek, 
which  rises  in  central  Pennsylvania,  and  after  running  in 
a  southerly  direction,  mingles  its  clear  stream  with  the  tur 
gid  waters  of  the  Potomac  about  five  miles  above  Harper's 
Ferry.  The  stone  bridge  across  the  creek,  which  General 
Burnside  was  ordered  to  take,  is  in  a  deep  ravine.  The 
face  of  the  hill  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  bridge  is  too 
steep  to  be  ascended  by  o.  horse,  and  must  be  literally 


1^2.  GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

climbed,  to  be  surmounted  by  man.  The  roadway  from 
the  bridge  turns  abruptly  to  the  right  and  left,  and  rises  the 
hill  along  its  side  very  gradually.  On  this  steep  hill,  com 
manding  the  bridge,  was  a  Confederate  batteiy,  and  there 
were  also  rifle-pits,  stone  walls,  and  earth-works  on  either 
bank,  filled  with  the  enemy's  sharp-shooters.  The  fight 
was  a  desperate  one. 

Some  regiments  advanced  directly  against  the  bridge, 
under  a  terrific  fire  ;  others,  fording  the  creek,  crossed,  and 
endeavored  to  drive  the  enemy's  sharp-shooters  from  their 
rifle-pits.  An  angry  tempest  of  shot  arid  shell  poured 
down  from  the  enemy's  works,  and  several  times  the  ad 
vancing  columns  were  repulsed  with  great  slaughter. 
Hooker  and  Meade  were  gallantly  fighting  lower  down 
the  creek,  and  from  the  spot  where  General  McClellan 
established  his  headquarters,  four  miles  of  battle  could  be 
seen  beneath  the  bright  autumnal  sun.  Ao-ain  and  ajjain 

o  o  o 

did  the  regiments  move  forward  into  what  was  literally  the 

J 

jaws  of  death.  The  bridge  was  at  last  handsomely  car 
ried,  but  the  Confederates  received  reinforcements,  and 
General  Burnsicle  was  forced  to  send  to  General  McClel 
lan  for  aid. 

Fifteen  thousand  men,  constituting  the  division  of -Gen. 
Fitz  John  Porter,  were  massed  idly  in  the  valley,  and  their 
commander  was  with  General  McClellan  when  Burnside's 
staff-officer  rode  up.  The  message  which  he  delivered 
was  :  "I  want  troops  and  guns.  If  you  do  not  send  them 
I  cannot  hold  my  position  for  half  an  hour."  General 
McClellan's  only  answer  for  the  moment  was  a  glance  at 
the  western  sky,  and  he  then  looked  on  General  Porter, 
who  shook  his  head  gravely.  "  Tell  General  Burnside," 
said' McClellan,  speaking  very  slowly,  "that  this  is  the 
battle  of  the  war  ;  he  must  hold  his  ground  till  dark,  at  anv 

O  -J 


LIFE   AXD   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

cost.  I  will  send  him  a  battery  ;  I  cannot  do  any  more.  I 
have  no  infantry.''  Then,  as  the  messenger  was  riding 
away  he  called  him  back.  "  Tell  him  also,"  said  he, 
"that  if  he  cannot  hold  his  ground,  then  the  bridge,  to 
the  last  man, —  always  the  bridge  ;  — if  the  bridge  is  lost, 
all  is  lost." 

The  bridge  was  not  lost.  Every  foot  of  ground  was 
stubbornly  contested,  and  when  the  sun  went  down  it  was 
a  source  of  gratification  to  General  Burnside  to  know  that 
the  Ninth  Corps,  after  a  hard  day's  fighting,  held  the  bridge, 
and  thus  secured  victory  by  remaining  on  the  ground  which 
the  Confederates  had  occupied.  Could  the  Ninth  Corps, 
isolated  from  the  rest  of  McClellan's  forces,  have  been  cut 
off  and  overwhelmed,  Lee  would  have  gained  the  victory. 
"It  is  certain,"  said  Mr.  Pollard,  in  his  Historv  of  the 
War,  "'that  if  wre  had  had  fresh  troops  to  hurl  against 
Burnside  at  the  bridge  of  Antietam,  the  day  would  have 
been  ours." 

The  Ninth  Corps  numbered  on  the  morning  of  the  bat 
tle  13,819  officers  and  men.  Its  losses  during  the  day 
were  twenty-two  officers  and  410  enlisted  men  killed ; 
ninety-six  officers  and  1,645  enlisted  men  wounded,  and 
1 20  missing.  The  commanding  generals  on  both  sides 
could  not  have  been  sorry  when  the  sun  set,  and  darkness 
prohibited  any  further  carnage.  General  Burnside  was 
actively  engaged  during  the  day  watching  intently  every 
movement  of  the  enemy.  Among  those  who  fell  was  Gen 
eral  Rodman,  who  had  been  with  him  since  the  beginning 
of  the  war,  and  of  whom  he  said:  "  One  of  the  first  to 
leave  his  home  at  his  country's  call,  General  Rodman,  in 
his  constant  and  wearing  service,  now  ended  by  his  un 
timely  death,  has  left  a  bright  record  of  earnest  patriotism, 
undimmed  by  one  thought  of  self;  respected  and  esteemed 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

cost.  I  will  send  him  a  battery  ;  I  cannot  do  any  more.  I 
have  no  infantry."  Then,  as  the  messenger  was  riding 
away  he  called  him  back.  "  Tell  him  also,"  said  he, 
"that  if  he  cannot  hold  his  ground,  then  the  bridge,  to 
the  last  man, —  always  the  bridge  ;  — if  the  bridge  is  lost, 
all  is  lost." 

The  bridge  was  not  lost.  Every  foot  of  ground  was 
stubbornly  contested,  and  when  the  sun  went  down  it  was 
a  source  of  gratification  to  General  Burnside  to  know  that 
the  Ninth  Corps,  after  a  hard  day's  fighting,  held  the  bridge, 
and  thus  secured  victory  by  remaining  on  the  ground  which 
the  Confederates  had  occupied.  Could  the  Ninth  Corps, 
isolated  from  the  rest  of  McClellan's  forces,  have  been  cut 
off  and  overwhelmed.  Lee  would  have  gained  the  victory. 
"It  is  certain,"  said  Mr.  Pollard,  in  his  History  of  the 
War,  "that  if  we  had  had  fresh  troops  to  hurl  against 
Burnside  at  the  bridge  of  Antietam,  the  day  would  have 
been  ours." 

The  Ninth  Corps  numbered  on  the  morning  of  the  bat 
tle  13,819  officers  and  men.  Its  losses  during  the  day 
were  twenty-two  officers  and  410  enlisted  men  killed; 
ninety-six  officers  and  1,645  enlisted  men  wounded,  and 
1 20  missing.  The  commanding  generals  on  both  sides 
could  not  have  been  sorry  when  the  sun  set,  and  darkness 
prohibited  any  further  carnage.  General  Burnside  was 
actively  engaged  during  the  day  watching  intently  every 
movement  of  the  enemy.  Among  those  who  fell  was  Gen 
eral  Rodman,  who  had  been  with  him  since  the  beginning 
of  the  war,  and  of  whom  he  said  :  "  One  of  the  first  to 
leave  his  home  at  his  country's  call,  General  Rodman,  in 
his  constant  and  wearing  service,  now  ended  by  his  un 
timely  death,  has  left  a  bright  record  of  earnest  patriotism, 
undimmed  by  one  thought  of  self;  respected  and  esteemed 


GEy.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 

in  the  various  relations  of  his  life,  the  army  mourns  his 
loss  as  a  pure-hearted  patriot,  and  a  brave,  devoted  sol 
dier,  and  his  division  will  miss  a  gallant  leader,  who  was 
always  foremost  at  the  post  of  danger." 

Late  in  the  afternoon,  stragglers  began  to  come  in  from 
the  field,  some  tenderly  escorting  wounded  comrades,  three 
or  four  often  performing  this  service  for  one  man.  Gen 
eral  Burnside  ordered  many  of  these  stragglers  back  to 
their  regiments  with  a  sharp  reprimand.  Among  them 
was  a  lieutenant  of  a  Connecticut  regiment,  whom  the 
general  reprimanded,  ordering  one  of  his  aides  to  take  his 
name.  The  man  went  limping  away,  saying  that  a  ball 
had  hit  him  in  the  leg.  "But  you  walked  all  the  way 
from  the  field,"  said  the  general,  "why  did  you  come  here 
to  exhibit  your  cowardice?  You  had  better  remained  at 
home."  Just  then  a  youth,  not  over  fifteen,  who  had  his 
arm  torn  by  a  shell  or  ball,  came  up  holding  the  bleeding 
member  in  his  other  hand.  "  Look  at  that  boy,  Lieuten 
ant,"  said  General  Burnside;  "he  has  some  excuse  for 
leaving  the  field,  but  you  have  none." 

That  night  General  Lee  quietly  returned  into  Virginia, 
leaving  his  dead  and  some  two  thousand  of  his  wounded 
behind  him.  General  Burnside,  visiting  General  McClel- 
lan's  headquarters,  expressed  the  opinion  that  the  Union 
army  ought  to  renew  the  battle,  for  the  enemy  had  been 
worse  shaken  than  they  had,  and  an  assault  upon  his 
position  promised  every  success.  General  McClellan  had 
been  reinforced  during  the  night  in  numbers  sufficient  to 
cover  his  losses  of  the  preceding  day,  but  he  dared  not 
take  the  responsibility.  "  With  five  thousand  fresh  troops 
to  pass  in  advance  of  my  line,"  said  General  Burnside, 
"I  will  be  willing  to  commence  the  attack."  But  the 
commanding  general  of  the  army  was  in  no  humor  for 


!j6  GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    DURXSIDE. 

more  fighting,  and  on  the  night  of  the  19th,  General  Lee 
quietly  crossed  the  river  into  Virginia.  "  He  leaves  us,'' 
said  the  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Tribune,  "the 
debris  of  his  late  camp.  T\vo  disabled  pieces  of  artillery, 
a  few  hundred  of  his  stragglers,  perhaps  two  thousand  of 
his  wounded,  and  as  many  more  of  his  unburied  dead. 
Not  a  sound  field-piece,  caisson,  ambulance,  or  wagon  ; 
not  a  tent,  box  of  stores,  or  a  pound  of  ammunition.  He 
takes  with  him  the  supplies  gathered  in  Maryland,  and  the 
rich  spoils  of  Harper's  Ferry." 

For  a  month  General  McClellan  remained  idle,  without 
following  up  the  enemy.  The  country,  which  had  lavished 
its  resources  to  furnish  a  large,  well-equipped  army,  be 
gan  to  look,  after  the  retreat  of  Lee,  for  a  blow  to  be 
struck  that  would  retrieve  the  national  honor.  The  bat 
tle  of  Antietam  having  been  fought  early  in  the  autumn, 
there  was  a  prospect  of  a  season  of  two  months  during 
which  the  state  of  the  roads  and  weather  would  favor  mili 
tary  operations,  and  it  was  supposed  that  General  McClel 
lan  would  have  eagerly  availed  himself  of  this  opportunity 
to  strike  a  blow. 

On  the  27th  of  September,  he  wrote  to  General  Hal- 
leek  :  "  When  the  river  rises  so  that  the  enemy  cannot 
cross  in  force,  I  purpose  concentrating  the  army  some 
where  near  Harper's  Ferry,  and  then  moving."  The  river 
rose,  but  the  army  did  not  move,  although  it  was  then 
150.000  strong.  On  the  6th  of  October  General  McClellan 
was  peremptorily  ordered  to  cross  the  Potomac  and  give 
battle  to  the  enemy,  or  drive  him  south; — "your  army 
must  move  now,"  he  was  told,  "  while  the  roads  are 
good."  But  the  army  did  not  move,  and  an  acrimonious 
correspondence  was  kept  up,  General  McClellan  demand 
ing  men,  horses,  clothing,  shoes,  ammunition  and  provis- 


I     "Ox-     F* 

,'^    Vf'», 
i    -.  <=s,'*.  /-. 


V.    >A-V\ 


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SHARPSBURG 


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MAP   OF   THE    ISA 


i78 


J.IFE    A.\/)    /Y  "/>'/,/(     SERVICES    Of-' 


ions,  which  were  promptly  promised  but  tardily  supplied, 
and  Halleck  sending  orders  to  advance  which  were  not 
obeyed  \vith  alacrity,  if  at  all. 

Early  in  October  the  camp  of  the  Union  army  was  enliv 
ened  by  a  visit  from  the  wives  of  General  McClellan,  Gen 
eral  Burnside,  and  other  officers,  which  exasperated  those 
who  believed  that  the  army  should  have  moved. 

On  the  1 3th  of  October,  General  Burnside,  at  the  head 
of  two  divisions  of  the  Ninth  Corps  under  Generals  Burns 
and  Sturgis,  with  General  Stoneman's  division,  General 
Whipple's  division,  and  General  Pleasanton's  cavalry, 
crossed  the  Potomac  six  miles  east  of  Harper's  Ferry,  and 
moved  along  the  eastern  base  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  closing 
up,  as  he  advanced,  the  passes  through  which  Lee  could 
have  moved  from  the  Shenandoah  to  Manassas.  Again 
did  the  loyal  people  of  the  Union  hope  for  a  battle  in  which 
the  Union  army,  now  fully  recruited,  well  armed,  well 
shod,  enthusiastic  and  confident,  could  defeat  the  Confed 
erate  forces  and  put  an  end  to  the  war. 

It  was  soon  evident  that  General  McClellan  did  not 
intend  aggressive  movements,  and  President  Lincoln,  who 
had  vainly  urged  him  onward,  determined  on  his  removal. 
The  net  result  of  McClellan's  stubborn  inaction  was  the  loss 
of  several  months  of  pleasant  weather  with  good  roads  ;  a 
sacrifice  of  an  army  of  12,000  men  and  the  park  of  artillery 
at  Harper's  Ferry  ;  a  second  Ball's  Bluff  disaster  at  Shep- 
ardstown,  and  a  successful  raid  by  the  Confederate  cav 
alry  into  Pennsylvania.  For  all  this,  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  had  reached  the  mountain-gaps  of  Virginia  in  the 
midst  of  an  unprecedented  snowstorm,  which  brought 
unpleasant  reminiscences  of  the  fate  of  Napoleon's  grand 
army  in  Russia. 

General  Buckingham  was  sent  to  the  headquarters  of  the 


j^S  LIFE   A.\D   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

ions,  which  were  promptly  promised  but  tardily  supplied, 
and  Halleck  sending  orders  to  advance  which  were  not 
obeyed  with  alacrity,  if  at  all. 

Early  in  October  the  camp  of  the  Union  army  was  enliv 
ened  by  a  visit  from  the  wives  of  General  McClellan,  Gen 
eral  Burnside,  and  other  officers,  which  exasperated  those 
who  believed  that  the  army  should  have  moved. 

On  the  1 3th  of  October,  General  Burnside,  at  the  head 
of  two  divisions  of  the  Ninth  Corps  under  Generals  Burns 
and  Sturgis,  with  General  Stoneman's  division,  General 
Whipple's  division,  and  General  Pleasanton's  cavalry, 
crossed  the  Potomac  six  miles  east  of  Harper's  Ferry,  and 
moved  along  the  eastern  base  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  closing 
up,  as  he  advanced,  the  passes  through  which  Lee  could 
have  moved  from  the  Shenandoah  to  Manassas.  Again 
did  the  loyal  people  of  the  Union  hope  for  a  battle  in  which 
the  Union  army,  now  fully  recruited,  well  armed,  \vell 
shod,  enthusiastic  and  confident,  could  defeat  the  Confed 
erate  forces  and  put  an  end  to  the  war. 

It  was  soon  evident  that  General  McClellan  did  not 
intend  aggressive  movements,  and  President  Lincoln,  who 
had  vainly  urged  him  onward,  determined  on  his  removal. 
The  net  result  of  McClellan's  stubborn  inaction  was  the  loss 
of  several  months  of  pleasant  weather  with  good  roads  ;  a 
sacrifice  of  an  army  of  12,000  men  and  the  park  of  artillery 
at  Harper's  Ferry  ;  a  second  Ball's  Bluff  disaster  at  Shep- 
ardstown,  and  a  successful  raid  by  the  Confederate  cav 
alry  into  Pennsylvania.  For  all  this,  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  had  reached  the  mountain-gaps  of  Virginia  in  the 
midst  of  an  unprecedented  snow-storm,  which  brought 
unpleasant  reminiscences  of  the  fate  of  Napoleon's  grand 
army  in  Russia. 

General  Buckingham  \vas  sent  to  the  headquarters  of  the 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

Army  of  the  Potomac  with  two  envelopes,  —  one  assigning 
to  General  Burnside  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Poto 
mac,  and  the  other  relieving  General  McClellan.  He  was 
instructed  by  Secretary  Stanton  to  first  see  General  Burn- 
side,  and  to  use,  if  necessary,  the  strongest  arguments  to 
induce  him  not  to  refuse.  If  he  would  not  accept,  Gen 
eral  Buckingham  was  at  once  to  return  to  Washington  ;  if 
he  consented,  he  was  then  to  deliver  the  order  to  McClel 
lan.  The  Secretary  further  explained  to  General  Buck 
ingham,  his  reasons  for  sending  a  general  officer  on  this 
errand.  He  had  not  only  no  confidence  in  McClellan's 
military  skill,  but  he  very  much  doubted  his  patriotism, 
and  even  loyalty,  and  he  expressed  to  him  some  fear  that 
McClellan  would  not  give  up  the  command  ;  he  wished, 
therefore,  that  the  order  should  be  presented  by  an  officer 
of  high  rank,  direct  from  the  War  Department,  so  as  to 
carry  the  full  weight  of  the  President's  authority. 

General  Buckingham  found  General  Burnside  about  fif 
teen  miles  south  of  Salem,  where  his  division  was  halted, 
and  he  was  alone  in  a  little  chamber.  Closing  the  door, 
General  Buckingham  made  known  his  errand.  General 
Burnside  at  once,  as  he  had  twice  done  before,  declined  the 
offered  command.  General  Buckingham  then  endeavored, 
in  conformity  with  the  directions- of  Secretary  Stanton,  to 
overcome  his  objections.  Knowing  as  he  did,  that  the 
President  was  resolved,  at  all  events,  to  remove  McClel 
lan,  he  felt  fully  satisfied  that  he  (Burnside)  ought  to  ac 
cept,  and  urged  him  to  do  so.  Burnside,  among  other  ob 
jections,  urged  his  want  of  confidence  in  himself,  and  his 
particularly  friendly  relations  to  McClellan,  to  whom  he 
felt  under  the  strongest  obligations.  Buckingham  met 
these  objections  by  stating  that  McCiellan's  removal  was 
resolved  upon  at  any  rate,  and  that  if  he  (Burnside)  did 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

not  accept  the  command,  it  would  be  given  to  Hooker, 
who  subsequently  became  his  successor. 

General  Burnside  at  length  consented  to  obey  the  order, 
and  General  Buckingham  requested  him  to  go  with  him  to 
find  General  McClellan.  They  returned  to  Salem,  whence 
General  Buckingham  had  ridden  on  horseback  through 
the  snow-storm,  and  went  from  there  about  five  miles  up 
the  railroad  to  General  McClellan's  headquarters.  Arriv 
ing  there  about  eleven  o'clock,  they  found  him  alone  in 
his  tent,  examining  papers,  and  as  they  entered  together, 
he  received  them  in  his  usual  kind  and  cordial  manner. 

General  Buckingham's  task  was  not  only  a  painful  one, 
but  particularly  distasteful  to  him,  in  view  of  his  friendly 
feelings  for  McClellan.  The  order  which  he  communi 
cated  read  as  follows  : 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  ") 
WASHINGTON,  Nov.  5,  1862.  j 

General  Orders,  JVo.  182. 

By  direction  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  it  is  ordered  that 
Major-General  McClellan  be  relieved  from  the  command  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  and  that  Major-General  Burnside  take  command  of  that 
army.  By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War, 

E.  D.  TOWNSEND,  A.  A.  G. 

General  McClellan  received  the  announcement  of  his 
removal  with  perfect  equanimity,  saying  that  General 
Burnside,  as  a  soldier,  must  obey,  and  that  he,  as  a  soldier, 
must  give  up  his  command.  He  was  not  heard  to  utter  a 
word  of  complaint,  nor  did  he  make  any  allusion  to  the 
subject  in  the  presence  of  his  staff,  other  than  to  mention 
the  surprise  occasioned  by  the  reception  of  the  order. 
General  Burnside  did  everything  in  his  power  to  show  his 
respect  and  esteem  for  his  predecessor.  He  rode  with 
him  through  the  army  on  his  farewell  visit,  and  when 


GEX.    AMBROSE   E     UUKNSIDE.  jgj 

General  McClellan  finally  left,  he  said  to  the  officers  as 
sembled  at  the  Warrenton  Junction,  "1  wish  you  to  stand 
by  Burnside  as  you  have  stood  by  me,  and  all  will  be 
well." 

The  following  order  was  issued  by  General  Burnside  on 
taking  command  of  the  army: 

In  accordance  with  General  Orders,  No.  182,  issued  by  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  I  hereby  assume  command  of  the  Armv  of  the  Poto 
mac.  Patriotism,  and  the  exertion  of  my  every  energy  in  the  direction  of 
'this  army,  aided  by  the  full  and  hearty  cooperation  of  its  officers  and 
men,  will,  I  hope,  under  the  blessing  of  God,  insure  its  success. 

Having  been  a  sharer  of  the  privations,  and  a  witness  of  the  bra  very  of 
the  old  Army  of  the  Potomac  in  the  Maryland  campaign,  and  fully  iden 
tified  with  them  in  their  feelings  of  respect  and  esteem  of  General  Mc 
Clellan,  entertained  through  a  large,  long,  and  most  friendly  association 
with  him,  I  feel  that  it  is  not  as  a  stranger  I  assume  command. 

Of  the  Ninth  Corps,  so  long  immediately  associated  with  me,  I  need 
say  nothing.  Our  histories  are  identical. 

With  diffidence  for  myself,  but  with  a  proud  confidence  in  the  unswerv 
ing  loyalty  and  determination  of  the  gallant  arm},  now  entrusted  to  mv 
cure,  I  accept  the  command  with  the  steadfast  assurance  that  the  just 
cause  must  prevail. 

A.  E.  BURNSIDE, 

Afajor-  General  Co»i»iandintr. 

General  Burnside,  on  thus  assuming  the  command  of 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  found  a  heavy  and  difficult  task 
before  him.  Everything  was  expected  of  him  by  the  op 
ponents  of  McClellan,  at  least  two  of  whom,  holding  gen 
erals'  commissions,  had  hoped  to  have  succeeded  him  in 
command,  while  the  friends  of  the  deposed  chief  scruti 
nized  his  every  act  with  jealousy,  if  not  malignity. 


f'redericksburg  in  186?. 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 


BURXSIDE    ASSUMES    COMMAND    OP"    THE    ARMY    WITH   PRAYERFUL 
•    RELUCTANCE  — NEW    PLAN     OF    OPERATIONS  — A   RAPID    MOVE 
MENT—FAILURE  TO  SUPPLY  PONTOONS  — THE  BATTLE  OF  FRED- 
ERICKSBURG— DESPERATE    FIGHTING  — VIGOROUS  DEFENSE  BY 
THE  CONFEDERATES  — FAILURE. 

GENERAL  BURNSIDE  accepted  the  command  of 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  then  numbering  two 
hundred  and  twenty-five  thousand  men,  with  great 
reluctance,  and  a  fear  that  he  was  not  competent  for  the 
position.  Writing  to  his  much-esteemed  friend  and  chap 
lain,  the  Rev.  Augustus  Woodbury,  under  date  of  Nov. 
21,  1862,  he  said  :  "You  who  know  how  much  I  feel  any 
responsibility  placed  upon  me,  can  readily  imagine  how 
much  of  my  time  is  occupied  with  this  enormous  command. 
You  will  remember  that  when  I  was  with  you  in  the  field, 
with  a  comparatively  small  command,  I  felt  that  I  could 
do  nothing  of  myself,  and  I  then  felt,  more  than  ever  in 
my  life,  the  need  of  an  entire  reliance  upon  an  all-wise 
Creator.  But  now  the  responsibility  is  so  great,  that  at 


CiEN.    AMBROSE  E.    HURXSIDE.  jgo 

times  I  tremble  at  the  thought  of  assuming  that  I  am  able 
to  exercise  so  large  a  command.  Yet  when  I  think  that  I 
have  made  no  such  assumption,  that  I  have  shunned  the 
responsibility,  and  only  accepted  it  when  I  was  ordered  to 
do  it,  and  when  it  would  have  been  disloyal  and  unfriendly 
to  our  government  not  to  do  it,  then  I  take  courage,  and  I 
approach  our  Heavenly  Father  with  freedom  and  trustful 
ness,  confident  that  if  I  can  act  honestly  and  industriously, 
constantly  asking  His  protection  and  assistance,  all  will  be 
well,  no  matter  how  dark  everything  now  seems  to  me." 

After  conferring  with  some  of  his  leading  officers,  Gen- 
eral  Burnside  submitted  his  plans,  which  were  :  to  make  a 
rapid  march  to  Falmouth,  opposite  Fredericksburg,  to 
cross  the  Rappahannock  on  pontoon  bridges  to  Fredericks- 
burg,  and  make  a  forward  movement  from  there  to  Rich 
mond.  On  the  i4th  of  November,  General  Halleck  tele 
graphed  him  :  "  The  President  has  just  assented  to  your 
plan  ;  he  thinks  that  it  will  succeed  if  you  move  rapidly  ; 
otherwise  not."  Meanwhile  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  had 
been  reorganized  into  three  grand  divisions,  the  right 
commanded  by  General  Sumner,  the  centre  by  General 
Hooker,  and  the  left  by  General  Franklin,  while  General 
Sigel  commanded  a  reserve. 

The  army  started  from  Warren  ton  on  the  i5th  of  No 
vember,  marched  fort3r  miles  in  three  days,  and  changed 
its  base  from  the  Manassas  railroad  to  Acquia  Creek.  The 
Blue  Ridge  faded  in  the  distance,  the  valley  of  the  Rap 
pahannock  was  reached,  and  on  the  iqth  of  November 
General  Burnside  watered  his  horse  in  the  Rappahannock 
River,  before  Fredericksbur^jyji[ch_JieJiad  evacuated  a 
few  months  before.  If  the  enemy's  pickets,  not  a  stone's- 
throw  from  him  on  the  opposite  bank,  had  known  who  the 
large  man  in  a  slouch  hat  was,  they  might  have  shot  at 


184 


GE<\.    AMBROSE  E.    BL'RXSIJDE. 


him,  but  they  probably  never  imagined  that  the  Union 
commander  would  put  himself  within  the  range  of  a 
smooth-bore  musket. 

Had  General  Burnside  found  the  pontoon-train  at  Fred- 
ericksburg,  as  he  had  reason  to  expect,  he  would  have 
thrown  a  heavy  force  across  the  river  before  the  enenvy 
could  have  concentrated  a  force  to  oppose  the  cross  ing. 
In  that  case  the  whole  of  the  right  wing,  under  General 
Sumner,  could  have  crossed  the  Rappahannock  with  its 
wagon-trains,  loaded  with  bread  and  commissary  stores, 
and  had  beef  cattle  along  for  meat ;  then  made  a  rapid 
movement  in  the  direction  of  Richmond,  meeting  the  en- 
emy,  if  possible,  and  fighting  a  battle  before  General  J a  ck- 
son  could  join  General  Lee.  But  rapid  as  the  movements 
of  General  Burnside  had  been  from  the  mountains  to  the 
Rappahannock,  the  march  of  General  Lee  was  equally 
expeditious.  General  Burnside  had  to  halt  at  Falmouth , 
and  when  lie  awoke  on  the  morning  of  the  22d  of  No v em- 
be  r^jmd_j[pjojcej:l_ac^^  the 
e nemy's  cannon  frowning  on  his  position,  and  the  ene my 's 
bayonets  gleaming  in  the  vicinity  of  the  fords  acrossjthe 
river.  The  highway  which  he  had  expected  to  take  was 
barred  at  its  commencement,  and  he  wrote  to  General 
Cullum  on  the  23d  of  November,  stating  that  the  pontoon- 
train  had  not  arrived,  neither  had  the  provision-trains  been 
supplied.  "I  am  not  prepared,"  said  he  in  conclusion, 
"to  say  that  every  effort  has  not  been  made  to  carry  out 
the  other  parts  of  the  plan,  but  I  must  in  honesty  and  can 
dor  say  that  I  cannot  feel  that  the  move  indicated  in  my 
plan  of  operations  will  be  successful  after  two  very  impor 
tant  parts  of  the  plan  have  not  been  carried  out  —  no  mat 
ter  for  what  reason.  The  President  said  that  the  move 
ment,  in  order  to  be  successful,  must  be  made  quickly,  and 
I  think  the  same." 


1 86  LIFE   AXD   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

Mrs.  Burnside  went  from  Washington  with  President 
Lincoln  and  Secretary  Stanton  to  Acquia  Creek,  on  the 
26th  of  November,  and  returned  with  them  on  the  28th, 
accompanied  by  the  general.  During  the  two  days  that 
they  were  in  camp  there  was  a  severe  rain-storm,  which 
rendered  the  roads  almost  impassable.  General  Burnside 
made  energetic  remonstrances  to  President  Lincoln  about 
the  delay  in  the  receipt  of  the  pontoon-train,  which  had 
just  begun  to  arrive,  each  boat  being  drawn  on  wheels  bv 
eight  mules.  Meanwhile,  the  Confederates  had  thrown  up 
batteries  commanding  the  spaces  where  bridges  could  be 
laid  across  the  river,  and  their  earth-works  began  to  be 
visible  on  the  crest  of  the  ridges  around  the  old  town  of 
Fredericksburg.  It  was  very  evident  that  General  Lee 
was  concentrating  his  forces,  and  preparing  for  a  desper 
ate  resistance  against  any  attempt  to  cross  the  Rappahan- 
nock,  or  to  advance  towards  Richmond.  The  Confederate 
forces  had  been  badly  shattered  by  the  unsuccessful  inva 
sion  of  Maryland,  and  their  commander  evidently  wished 
to  recuperate,  protected  by  the  earth- works  around  Fred 
ericksburg,  with  a  railroad  running  to  Richmond  as  a 
base  of  supplies. 

Returning  to  Washington  with  the  President  and  Mrs. 
Burnside,  the  general  discussed  the  situation  with  the 
administration  and  the  leading  bureau  officers  at  the  War 
Department.  Prudence  counseled  his  going  into  winter 
quarters,  but  the  President  and  all  others  in  authority  urged 
an  active,  vigorous  campaign  against  Richmond,  (jtme r a  1 
Burnside,  like  a  true  soldier,  determined  to  carry  out  the 
wishes  of  the  President,  to  advance  southward  steadily, 
slowly  perhaps,  but  unflinchingly.  His  practical,  tireless 
temperament  inspired  him,  when  he  returned  to  his  com 
mand,  with  a  determination  to  fight  his  way  southward. 


T86  LIFE   AXD    mi LIC    SILK  VICES    OF 

Mrs.   Burnside   went  from   Washington  with  President 

o 

Lincoln  and  Secretary  Stanton  to  Acquia  Creek,  on  the 
26th  of  November,  and  returned -with  them  on  the  28th, 
accompanied  by  the  general.  During  the  two  days  that 
they  were  in  camp  there  was  a  severe  rain-storm,  which 
rendered  the  roads  almost  impassable.  General  Burnside 
made  energetic  remonstrances  to  President  Lincoln  about 
the  delay  in  the  receipt  of  the  pontoon-train,  which  had 
just  begun  to  arrive,  each  boat  being  drawn  on  wheels  by 
eight  mules.  Meanwhile,  the  Confederates  had  thrown  up 
batteries  commanding  the  spaces  where  bridges  could  be 
laid  across  the  river,  and  their  earth-works  began  to  be 
visible  on  the  crest  of  the  ridges  around  the  old  town  of 
Fredericksburg.  It  was  very  evident  that  General  Lee 
was  concentrating  his  forces,  and  preparing  for  a  desper 
ate  resistance  against  any  attempt  to  cross  the  Rappahan- 
nock,  or  to  advance  towards  Richmond.  The  Confederate 
forces  had  been  badly  shattered  by  the  unsuccessful  inva 
sion  of  Maryland,  and  their  commander  evidently  wished 
to  recuperate,  protected  by  the  earth-works  around  Fred 
ericksburg,  with  a  railroad  running  to  Richmond  as  a 
base  of  supplies. 

Returning  to  Washington  with  the  President  and  Mrs. 
Burnside,  the  general  discussed  the  situation  with  the 
administration  and  the  leading  bureau  officers  at  the  Wai- 
Department.  Prudence  counseled  his  going  into  winter 
quarters,  but  the  President  and  all  others  in  jiuthority  urged 
an  active,  vigorous  campaign  against  Richmond,.  Genera  1 
Burnside,  like  a  true  soldier,  determined  to  carry  out  the 
wishes  of  the  President,  to  advance  southward  steadily, 
slowly  perhaps,  but  unflinchingly.  His  practical,  tireless 
temperament  inspired  him,  when  he  returned  to  his  com 
mand,  with  a  determination  to  light  his  way  southward. 


C;EN.  AMBROSE  E.  BURXSIDE.  jSj 

He  went  everywhere  through  his  camps  with  a  bright, 
quiet,  creative  energy,  "  still  achieving,  still  pursuing.'' 
New  tents,  winter  clothing,  and  thick  boots  were  supplied 
to  all  the  men,  and  every  preparation  was  made  for  cross 
ing  the  river  in  the  face  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  night  of  the  loth  of  December,  the  engineer 
corps  wi's  ordered  to  lay  three  pontoon  bridges  across  the 
Rappahannock,  upon  which  the  army  was  to  cross,  occupy 
Fredericksburg,  and  carry  the  fortifications  on  the  hills 
by  assault.  A  dense  fog  filled  the  valley  and  hung  over 
the  river.  The  three  lower  bridges  were  laid  by  eleven 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  General  Franklin  reported  to 
General  Burnside  that  he  was  ready  to  cross  with  his  com 
mand.  The  three  upper  bridges  could  not,  however,  be 
laid,  owing  to  the  enemy's  sharp-shooters,  who  poured  in 
a  merciless  fire,  and  General  Woodbury  was  compelled  to 
report  to  the  commanding  general  that  the  bridges  could 
not  be  built.  "  They  must  be  built,"  replied  General 
Burnside,  "  try  again." 

The  engineers  returned  to  their  work,  but  it  was  impos 
sible  for  them  to  finish  it,  and  when  the  fog  lifted  at  noon, 
the  fire  of  the  rebel  sharp-shooters  became  more  deadly. 
Going  down  to  the  river  bank,  General  Burnside  saw  the 
situation,  and  called  for  volunteers  to  cross  the  river  in  pon 
toon  boats,  drive  the  riflemen  from  their  entrenchments, 
and  hold  the  town  until  the  bridges  should  be  laid.  Sol 
diers  from  the  Seventh  Michigan  and  Nineteenth  and 
Twentieth  Massachusetts  regiments  sprang  forward  with 
alacrity,  and  they  were  rowed  across  the  river  by  men  of 
the  Fiftieth  New  York.  A  desperate  conflict  took  place 
as  they  landed,  but  they  soon  secured  the  surviving  Confed 
erate  riflemen  as  prisoners  of  war,  and  the  engineers  were 
enabled  to  finish  the  bridges.  It  was  four  o'clock  in  the 


LIFE  AND  PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

afternoon,  however,  before  the  troops  began  to  cross,  and 
the  next  day  was  occupied  in  moving  over  the  army. 

That  night  a  council  of  war,  attended  by  the  grand  divi 
sion,  corps,  and  division  commanders,  was  held  at  a  late 
hour  at  General  Sumner's  headquarters.  General  Burnside 
submitted  and  explained  his  plan  for  the  general  attack  he 
proposed  to  make  the  next  day.  This  plan  comprised^ 
simultaneous  advance  of  the  Union  line  upon  the  enemy 's 
entrenched  position  on  the  hills  in  front  of  the  left  and 
right  grand  divisions,  which  were  to  be  carried  by  sudden 
assaults  of  select  bodies  of  troops.  It  was  in  keeping  with 
the  will,  boldness,  and  frankness  of  its  author,  but  some 
doubts  of  its  practicability  were  expressed  in  the  council 
by  a  number  of  those  in  attendance.  All,  however,  ex 
pressed  their  readiness  to  undertake  anything  ordered  by 
General  Burnside,  and  the  necessary  instructions  were 
given  to  commence  a  general  movement  upon  the  enemy 
with  daylight. 

It  was  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  Dec.  13,  1862, 
before  the  troops  commenced  their  march,  and  as  they 
ascended  the  heights,  they  soon  found  themselves  exposed 
to  a  terrible  fire  with  grape  and  canister,  and  an  enfilad 
ing  fire  from  round  shot  and  shell  on  their  right  and 
left.  Below  the  batteries,  too,  were  stone  fences  and  rifle- 
pits,  behind  and  in  which  the  Confederates  lay  concealed 
until  the  Union  troops,  who  had  been  ordered  to  charge 
bayonets  and  not  to  fire  until  they  reached  the  entrench 
ments,  had  approached  within  a  few  feet  of  them.  Rising 
then,  in  one  long,  dense  line,  with  a  rebel  yell  that  was 
heard  above  their  musketry,  they  poured  volley  after 
volley  into  the  leading  troops.  Regiment  after  regiment 
wavered,  halted,  fell  back,  and  again  advanced,  only  to 
meet  with  the  same  desperate  resistance. 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE.  jgo 

General  Palfrey,  who  was  in  the  battle,  has  truly  said 
that  only  those  who  participated  in  the  contest  know  how 
much  and  how  little  they  heard.  "They  remember  how 
the  smoke,  and  the  woods,  and  the  inequalities  of  ground 
limited  their  vision  when  they  had  leisure  to  look  about 
them,  and  how  every  faculty  was  absorbed  in  their  work 
when  they  were  actively  engaged  ;  how  the  deafening  noise 
made  it  almost  impossible  to  hear  orders  ;  what  ghastly 
sights  they  saw,  as  men  and  horses  near  them  were  torn 
with  shell ;  how  peacefully  the  men  sank  to  rest  whom  the 
more  merciful  rifle-bullet  reached  in  a  vital  spot ;  how 
some  wounded  men  shrieked,  and  others  lay  quiet ;  how 
awful  was  the  sound  of  the  projectiles  when  they  were 
near  hostile  batteries  ;  how  incessant  was  the  singing  and 
whistling  of  the  balls  from  rifles  and  muskets  ;  ho\v  little 
they  commonly  knew  of  what  was  going  on  a  hundred 
yards  to  their  right  or  left.  Orderly  advances  of  bodies  of 
men  may  be  easily  described  and  easily  imagined,  but 
pictures  of  real  righting  are  and  must  be  imperfect.  Par 
ticipants  in  real  righting  know  how  limited  and  fragmen 
tary  and  confused  are  their  recollections  of  work  after  it 
became  hot.  The  larger  the  force  engaged,  the  more 
impossible  it  is  to  give  an  accurate  presentation  of  its  expe 
riences.  We  can  follow  the  charge  of  the  six  hundred  at 
Balaklava,  from  which  less  than  one  in  three  came  back 
unharmed,  better  than  we  can  follow  the  advance  of  Han 
cock's  five  thousand  at  Fredericksburg,  from  which  not 
quite  three  in  five  came  back  unharmed." 

General  Humphreys  thus  describes  his  attempt  to  lead 
Tyler's  brigade  through  several  demoralized  masses  of 
Union  troops  to  the  wall  which  was  defended:  "As  the 
brigade  reached  the  men  who  were  sheltered  behind  a 
slight  rise  of  ground,  every  effort  was  made  by  the  latter 


LIFE    AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

to  prevent  our  advance.  They  called  to  our  men  not  to 
go  forward,  and  some  attempted  to  prevent  by  force  then- 
doing  so.  The  effect  upon  my  command  was  what  I 
apprehended  —  the  line  was  somewhat  disordered,  and  in 
part  forced  to  form  into  a  column,  but  still  advanced  rap 
idly.  The  fire  of  the  enemy's  musketry  and  artillery, 
furious  as  it  was  before,  now  became  still  hotter.  The 
stone  wall  was  a  sheet  of  flame  that  enveloped  the  head 
and  flanks  of  the  column.  Officers  and  men  were  falling 
rapidly,  and  the  head  of  the  column  was  at  length  brought 
to  a  stand  when  close  up  to  the  wall.  Up  to  this  time  not 
a  shot  had  been  fired  by  the  column,  but  now  some  firing 
began.  It  lasted  but  a  minute,  when,  in  spite  of  all  our 
efforts,  the  column  turned  and  began  to  retire  slowly.  I 
attempted  to  rally  the  brigade  behind  the  natural  embank 
ment  so  often  mentioned,  but  the  united  efforts  of  General 
Tyler,  myself,  our  staff,  and  the  other  officers  could  not 
arrest  the  retiring  mass." 

At  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  General  Hooker  crossed 
the  river,  and  a  fresh  assaulting  column  was  formed, 
watched  earnestly  by  General  Burnside  from  the  Lacey 
House  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river.  General  Getty's 
brigade,  by  making  a  flank  movement,  succeeded  in  gain 
ing  a  stone  wall  which  had  been  occupied  by  the  Confed 
erate  sharp-shooters  during  the  day.  General  Hooker's 
other  brigade  started  for  the  entrenchments  on  the  heights 
with  fixed  bayonets.  The  field  batteries,  which,  owing  to 
the  restricted  space,  had  been  of  little  use  all  day,  were 
brought  vigorously  into  play,  and  from  both  sides  two 
miles  of  guns  rained  forth  fiery  missiles  athwart  the  dark 
background  of  the  coming  night.  Volleys  of  musketry 
were  poured  forth  in  profusion.  Rushing  up  the  heights, 
General  Hooker's  troops  had  approached  within  a  stone's- 


GEX.    AMBROSE   E.    BL'RXSIDE.  I.^I 

throw  of  the  entrenchments,  when  the  hill  swarmed  forth 
in  new  reinforcements  of  Confederate  infantry,  who,  rush 
ing  upon  General  Hooker's  men,  drove  them  back.  The 
turn  of  a  die  decides  such  situations.  The  day  was  lost, 
and  the  Union  troops  retired.  Immediately  cannon  and 
musketry  ceased  their  roar,  and  in  a  few  moments  the 
silence  of  death  succeeded  the  stormy  fury  of  the  ten 
hours'  battle. 

General  Burnside,  turning,  walked  off  through  the  gar 
den  of  the  Lacey  House  and,  mounting  his  horse,  galloped 
back  to  his  headquarters.  Summoning  his  general  officers, 
he  promptly  formed  his  plans  for  the  next  morning.  He 
ordered  General  Sumner  to  take  the  Ninth  Corps  and 
attack  the  entrenchments  on  the  heights  by  regiments. 
There  were  eighteen  old  regiments  and  some  new  ones, 
and  the  commanding  general  thought  that  these,  by  com 
ing  quickly  up,  one  after  the  other,  would  be  able  to  carry 
the  stone  wall  and  the  batteries  in  front,  forcing  the  enemy 
into  their  entrenchments,  and  by  going  in  with  them  they 
would  not  be  able  to  fire  to  any  great  extent. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


OPPOSITION'  BY  THE  GENERALS  TO  A  RENEWAL  OF  THE  ATTACK 
-  OFFICIAL  ACCOUNT  OF  ITS  DISASTERS  AND  ASSUMPTION  OF 
THE  RESPONSIBILITY— MILITARY  CRITICISMS  -  LINCOLN'S  AD 
DRESS  TO  THE  TROOPS  — ANOTHER  MOVEMENT—  INSUBORDI 
NATE  GENERALS—  LETTER  FROM  LINCOLN  — THE  MUD  CAM 
PAIGN-GENERAL  ORDERS  NO.  S  — RESIGNS. 

ON  the  morning  of  the  I4th  of  December,  1862,  just 
before  the  column  was  to  have  started,  General 
Sumner  came  to  headquarters  and  said:  "Gen 
eral  Burnside,  I  hope  you  will  desist  from  this  attack  ;  I  do 
not  know  of  any  general  officer  who  approves  of  it,  and 
I  think  it  will  prove  disastrous  to  the  army."  Advice  of 
that  kind  from  General  Sumner,  who  had  always  been  in 
favor  of  an  advance  whenever  it  was  possible,  caused  Gen 
eral  Burnside  to  hesitate.  He  kept  the  column  of  attack 
formed,  and  sent  over  for  the  division  and  corps  command 
ers,  with  whom  he  consulted,  and  they  voted  against  the 
attack.  He  then  sent  for  General  Franklin,  who  was  on 
the  left,  and  he  was  exactly  of  the  same  opinion.  This 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURXSIDE. 

caused  General  Burnside  to  decide  that  he  ought  not  to 
make  the  attack  he  had  contemplated.  "  Besides,"  to  use 
General  Burnside's  own  words,  "  inasmuch  as  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States  had  told  me  not  to  be  in  haste  in 
making  this  attack ,  that  he  would  give  me  all  the  support 
that  he  could,  but  he  did  not  want  the  Army  of  the  Poto 
mac  destroyed,  I  felt  that  I  could  not  take  the  responsibil 
ity  of  ordering  the  attack,  notwithstanding  my  own-  belief 
at  the  time  that  the  works  of  the  enemy  could  be  carried." 
The  orders  were  countermanded,  and  the  next  day, 
under  a  flag  of  truce,  the  dead  were  buried.  At  night 
the  army  moved  back  across  the  Rappahannock.  The 
night  was  intensely  dark,  the  wind  blowing  furiously  from 
the  east,  and  the  pontoon  bridges  swinging  with  every 
gust.  The  bridges  were  taken  up  after  the  troops  had 
crossed,  and  the  weary  soldiers  found  rest  in  their  old 
camps.  The  following  dispatch  officially  announced  the 
fact  to  those  at  Washington  : 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OK  THE  POTOMAC, 

December  16,  6  p.  M. 
Major-General  Ilallcck,  Com  mantle  r-in-  C/ticJ  : 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  withdrawn  to  this  side  of  the  Rappa 
hannock  River,  because  I  felt  fully  convinced  that  the  position  in  front 
could  not  be  carried,  and  it  was  a  military  necessity  either  to  attack  the 
enemy  or  retire.  A  repulse  would  have  been  disastrous  to  us  underexist- 
ing  circumstances. 

The  army  was  withdrawn  at  night,  without  the  knowledge  of  the 
enemy,  and  without  loss,  either  of  property  or  men. 

AMBROSE  E.   BURNSIDE, 

Major- General  Commanding: 

A  few  days  afterwards  General  Burnside  wrote  a  long- 
letter  to  General  Halleck,  which  is  a  model  of  manliness 
and  true  courage.  While  the  popular  heart  was  swelling 
with  indignation  over  the  repulse  at  Fredericksburg ; 

13 


JQI  GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 

while  the  howl  of  wrath  went  up  from  every  quarter 
against  the  officials  at  Washington  for  not  having  supplied 
the  pontoon  bridges,  and  while,  one  after  another,  his  sub 
ordinate  commanders  sought  to  cast  the  responsibility  on 
others,  General  Burnside  stood  up  squarely  and  firmly,  and 
said,  i;I  am  responsible  for  the  movement."  Never  did_ 
his  open-hearted,  fearless,  transparent  honesty  shine  forth 
more  splendidly  than  in  this  letter,  in  which,  after  narrating 
the  movement,  he  says  : 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC,  ~) 
FALMOUTH,  Dec.  19,  186^.  ^ 

Maj.-Gen.  H .  IV.  Halleck^  General-in-Chief  United  States  Army,  Washington  : 

To  the  brave  officers  and  soldiers  who  accomplished  the  feat  of  thus 
recrossing  the  river  in  the  face  of  the  enemy,  I  owe  everything. 

For  the  failure  in  the  attack,  I  am  responsible,  as  theextreme  gallantry, 
courage,  and  endurance  shown  by  them  was  never  exceeded,  and  would 
have  carried  the  points  had  it  been  possible. 

To  the  families  and  friends  of  the  dead,  I  can  only  offer  my  heartfelt 
sympathies  ~  but  for  the  wounded,  I  can  offer  my  earnest  prayers  for  their 
comfort  and  final  recovery. 

The  fact  that  I  decided  to  move  from  Worrenton  on  to  this  line,  rather 
against  the  opinion  of  the  President,  Secretary  of  War,  and  yourself,  and 
that  vou  left  the  whole  movement  in  my  hands,  without  giving  me 
orders,  makes  me  responsible. 

I  will  visit  vou  very  soon,  and  give  vou  more  definite  information  ;  and 
finallv.  will  send  you  my  detailed  report,  in  which  a  special  acknowledg 
ment  will  be  made  of  the  services  of  the  different  grand  divisions,  corps, 
and  mv  general  and  personal  staff,  of  the  departments  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  to  whom  I  am  much  indebted  for  their  hearty  support  and 
cooperation. 

I  will  add  here,  that  the  movement  was  made  earlier  than  you  expected, 
and  after  the  President,  Secretary,  and  yourself  requested  me  not  to  be 
in  haste,  for  the  reason  that  we  were  supplied  much  sooner  by  the  differ 
ent  staff  departments  than  was  anticipated  when  I  last  saw  you. 

Our  killed  amount  to  1,152;  our  wounded  to  about  nine  thousand,  and 
our  prisoners  to  about  seven  hundred,  which  last  have  been  paroled  and 
exchanged  for  about  the  same  number  taken  by  us. 

The  wounded  were  all  removed  to  this  side  of  the  river,  and  are  being 
well  cared  for,  and  the  dead  were  all  buried  under  a  flag  of  truce. 


MAP   OF  THE   BATTLE-FIELD   OF  FREDEIUCKSBURG. 


196 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


The  surgeons  report  a  much  larger  proportion  of  slight  wounds  than 
usual,  1,632  only  being  treated  in  hospitals. 

I  am  glad  to  represent  the  army  at  the  present  time  in  good  condition. 
Thanking  the  government  for  that  entire  support  and  confidence  which 
I  have  always  received  from  them, 

I  remain,  General,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

A.  E.  BURNSIDE, 
Major- General  Commanding  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

Military  critics,  however,  differed  much  on  the  plan  of 
the  battle  of  Fredericksburg.  General  Burnside  had  used 
it  before  with  skill  and  success  at  Roanoke  Island,  and  at 
Newbern,  and  although  he  failed  at  Fredericksburg,  that 
does  not  prove  that  the  plan  itself  was  defective.  Napo 
leon  achieved  his  greatest  success  by  risking  his  whole 
force  on  a  single  desperate  attack  of  the  centre.  McDon 
ald's  charge-column  at  Wagram  started  out  some  eighteen 
thousand  strong,  and  when  it  reached  the  Austrian  lines, 
had  only  eighteen  hundred  left,  but  it  broke  the  enemy's 
line  and  gained  the  victory.  Could  the  Ninth  Corps  have 
made  a  decisive  charge,  regiment  after  regiment,  the 
heights  of  Fredericksburg  might  have  been  carried.  Gen 
eral  Franklin's  conduct  has  been  bitterly  assailed  and 
stoutly  defended,  but  no  one  denies  that  General  Meade 
held  the  coveted  position  for  two  hours,  and  was  then 
forced  to  retreat  from  it,  while  $O,OQO  Union  troops  were 
standing  idle  within  two  miles  of  him,  in  his  rear. 

President  Lincoln,  after  having  had  a  long  personal  in 
terview  with  General  Burnside,  issued  the  following  ad 
dress  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  : 

EXECUTIVE  MANSION,  WASHINGTON,  Dec.  22,  1862. 
To  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  : 

I  have  just  read  your  commanding  general's  preliminary  report  of  the 
battle  of  Fredericksburg.  Although  you  were  not  successful,  the  attempt 


MAP   OF  THE   BATTLE-FIELD   OF  FREDEKICKSBUKG. 


196 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


The  surgeons  report  a  much  larger  proportion  ol"  slight  wounds  than 
usual,  1,632  only  being  treated  in  hospitals. 

I  am  glad  to  represent  the  annv  at  the  present  time  in  good  condition. 
Thanking  the  government  for  that  entire  support  and  confidence  which 
I  have  always  received  from  them, 

I  remain,  General,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

A.  E.  BURNSIDE, 
Major-General  Commanding  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

Military  critics,  however,  differed  much  on  the  plan  of 
the  battle  of  Fredericksburg.  General  Burnside  had  used 
it  before  with  skill  and  success  at  Roanoke  Island,  and  at 
Xewbern,  and  although  he  failed  at  Fredericksburg,  that 
does  not  prove  that  the  plan  itself  was  defective.  Xapo- 
leon  achieved  his  greatest  success  by  risking  his  whole 
force  on  a  single  desperate  attack  of  the  centre.  McDon 
ald's  charge-column  at  Wagram  started  out  some  eighteen 
thousand  strong,  and  when  it  reached  the  Austrian  lines, 
had  only  eighteen  hundred  left,  but  it  broke  the  enemy's 
line  and  gained  the  victory.  Could  the  Ninth  Corps  have 
made  a  decisive  charge,  regiment  after  regiment,  the 
heights  of  Fredericksburg  might  have  been  carried.^  Gen 
eral  Franklin's  conduct  has  been  bitterly  assailed  and 
stoutly  defended,  but  no  one  denies  that  General  Meade 
held  the  coveted  position  for  two  hours,  and  was  then 
forced  to  retreat  from  it,  while  50,000  Union  troops  were 
standing  idle  within  two  miles  of  him,  in  his  rear. 

President  Lincoln,  after  having  had  a  long  personal  in 
terview  with  General  Burnside,  issued  the  following  ad 
dress  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  : 

EXECUTIVE  MANSION,  WASHINGTON,  Dec.  22.  1862. 
To  the  Army  oj  Hie  Potomac  : 

I  have  just  read  your  commanding  general's  preliminary  report  of  the 
battle  of  Fredericksburg.    Although  you  were  not  successful,  the  attempt 


GEX.    AMBJfOSE  E.    J1URXSIDE. 


197 


was  not  an  error,  nor  the  failure  other  than  an  accident.  The  courage 
with  which  you,  in  an  open  field,  maintained  the  contest  against  an  en 
trenched  foe,  and  the  consummate  skill  and  success  with  which  you 
crossed  and  recrossed  the  river  in  the  face  of  the  enemy,  show  that  you 
possess  all  the  qualities  of  a  great  army,  which  will  vet  give  victory  to 
the  cause  of  the  country  and  of  popular  government.  Condoling  with 
the  mourners  for  the  dead,  and  sympathizing  with  the  severely  wounded, 
I  congratulate  you  that  the  number  is  comparatively  so  small.  I  tender 
to  you,  officers  and  soldiers,  the  thanks  of  the  Nation. 

ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 

General  Burnside  had  no  desire  to  go  into  winter  quar 
ters,  and  as  the  weather  was  good,  made  preparations  for 
a  demonstration  into  Virginia,  in  connection  with  an  ex 
tensive  cavalry  raid  under  General  Averill.  The  cavalry 
had  started  and  the  army' was  ready  to  move,  when  the 
following  dispatch  was  received  from  President  Lincoln  : 
"I  have  good  reason  for  saying  that  you  must  not  make 
a  general  movement  without  letting  me  know  of  it."  It 
was  evident  that  two  insubordinate  officers  had  visited 
Washington,  obtained  an  interview  with  the  President, 
and  convinced  him  that  a  movement  should  not  be  made. 
Countermanding  the  orders  to  the  troops,  General  Burn- 
side  went  to  Washington,  and  after  a  full  and  frank 
explanation  to  the  President,  returned  to  his  camp  on  the 
morning  of  Jan.  2,  1863,  with  the  intention  of  carrying 
out  his  plan.  He  learned,  however,  from  scouts,  that 
the  enemy  had  become  possessed  of  his  instructions  to 
General  Averill,  and  he  ordered  the  troops  back  into  camp. 
His  third  attempt  to  use  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  against 
the  enemy  was  thus  thwarted,  and  he  wrote  a  letter  to 
President  Lincoln,  enclosing  his  resignation,  which  he  said 
could  be  accepted  if  his  course  wras  not  in  accordance  with' 
the  views  of  the  administration  ;  adding,  "  I  beg  leave  to 
say  that  my  resignation  is  not  sent  in  a  spirit  of  insubordi- 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

nation,  but  simply  to  relieve  you  from  any  embarrassment 
in  changing  commanders  where  a  lack  of  confidence  may 
have  rendered  it  necessary."  In  reply,  he  received  a  letter 
from  General  Halleck  approving  his  plans,  and  advising 
that  a  forward  movement  be  made,  and  as  early  as  possi 
ble.  On  this,  the  President  made  the  following  indorse- 

o 

ment : 

January  S,  1863. 

I  understand  General  Halleck  has  sent  you  a  letter,  of  which  this  is  a 
copy.  I  approve  this  letter.  I  deplore  the  want  of  concurrence  with  you 
in  opinion  by  your  general  officers,  but  I  do  not  see  the  remedy.  Be 
cautious,  and  do  not  understand  that  the  government  or  country  is  driv 
ing  you.  I  do  not  yet  see  how  I  could  profit  by  changing  the  command 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  if  I  did,  I  should  not  wish  to  do  it  by 
accepting  the  resignation  of  your  commission.  .  T  TXCDT  \~ 

Fortifietl  by  these  opinions,  and  agreeing  with  General 

Halleck  that  both  the  armv  and  the  enemv  should  be  occu- 

•i  j 

pied,  he  again  made  preparations  for  a  forward  movement. 
Making  General  Lee  believe  that  he  intended  to  cross  the 
river  below  Fredericksburg,  he  moved  up  the  river,  intend 
ing  to  cross  at  the  upper  fords  and  turn  General  Lee's  left 
flank.  When  everything  was  prepared,  he  issued  the  fol 
lowing  order  : 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC,  ) 

CAMP  NEAR  FALMOUTH,  VA.,  Jan.  20,  1863.  T 
General  Orders,  No.  7. 

The  commanding  general  announces  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  that 
they  are  about  to  meet  the  enemy  once  more.  The  late  brilliant  actions 
in  North  Carolina,  Tennessee,  and  Arkansas  divided  and  weakened  the 
enemv  on  the  Rappahannock,  and  the  auspicious  moment  seems  to  have 
arrived  to  strike  a  great  and  mortal  blow  at  the  Rebellion,  and  to  gain 
that  decisive  victory  which  is  due  to  the  country.  Let  the  gallant  soldiers 
of  so  man  v  brilliant  battle-fields  accomplish  this  achievement,  and  a  fame 
the  most  glorious  awaits  them. 

The  commanding  general  calls  for  a  firm  and  united  action  of  officers 


GEX.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE. 

and  men,  and,  under  the  providence  of  God,  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
will  have  taken  the  threat  step  toward  restoring  peace  to  the  countrv.  and 
the  government  to  its  rightful  authority. 

By  command  of  Major-General   BURXSIDE. 
LEWIS  RICHMOND,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

The  army  marched  on  the  2Oth  of  January,  with  pleasant 
weather  and  good  roads,  but  at  night  a  furious  storm  set  in, 
and  by  daylight  the  roads  were  impassable  for  the  artillery 
and  the  pontoon  bridges.  The  rain  fell  in  torrents.  A 
chaos  of  pontoons  and  artillery  incumbered  the  road  down 
to  the  river,  supply-wagons  were  stalled  in  the  mud,  am 
munition  trains  were  mired  by  the  way,  and  horses  and 
mules  dropped  down  dead  by  scores.  The  movement  had 
to  be  abandoned. 

General  Burnside  next  determined  to  leave  his  artillery, 
and  to  make  a  bold  attack  with  his  infantry.  But  this  was 
opposed  by  General  Hooker,  and  several  other  officers 
were  virtually  insubordinate.  General  Burnside  saw  that 
victory  would  not  crown  his  efforts  with  this  lukewarm 
support  and  insubordination  among  his  generals,  and  he 
wrote  the  following  order  : 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC,  Jan.  23.  1863. 
General  Orders,  Xo.  S. 

First — Gen.  Joseph  E.  Hooker,  Major-General  of  Volunteers  and 
Brigadier-General  of  the  United  States  Army,  having  been  guilty  of 
unjust  and  unnecessary  criticisms  of  the  actions  of  his  superior  officers 
and  of  the  authorities;  and  having,  by  the  general  tone  of  his  conversa 
tion,  endeavored  to  create  distrust  in  the  minds  of  officers  who  have  asso 
ciated  with  him;  and  having,  by  omissions  and  otherwise,  made  reports 
and  statements  which  were  calculated  to  create  incorrect  impressions  ;  and 
for  habitually  speaking  in  disparaging  terms  of  other  officers,  is  hereby 
dismissed  the  service  of  the  United  States,  as  a  man  unfit  to  hold  an 
important  commission  during  a  crisis  like  the  present,  when  so  much 


200  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

patience,  charity,  confidence,  consideration,  and  patriotism  are  due  from 
everv  soldier  in  the  field. 

This  order  is  issued  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States. 

Second — Brig. -Gen.  W.  T.  II.  Brooks,  commanding  First  Division, 
Sixth  Army  Corps,  for  complaining  of  the  policy  of  the  government,  and 
for  using  language  tending  to  demoralize  his  command,  is,  subject  to  the 
approval  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  dismissed  from  the  mili 
tary  service  of  the  United  States. 

77n'rd — Brig. -Gen.  John  Newton,  commanding  Third  Division,  Sixth 
Army  Corps,  and  Brig. -Gen.  John  Cochrane,  commanding  First  Brigade. 
Third  Division,  Sixth  Army  Corps,  for  going  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States  with  criticisms  upon  the  plans  of  their  commanding  officers, 
are,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  President,  dismissed  from  the  military 
service  of  the  United  States. 

Fourth  —  It  being  evident  that  the  following-named  officers  can  be  of 
no  further  service  to  this  army,  they  are  hereby  relieved  from  duty,  and 
will  report  in  person,  without  delay,  to  the  Adjutant-General  of  the 
United  States  Army  : 

Maj.-Gen.  W.  B.  Franklin,  commanding  Left  Grand  Division. 

Maj.-Gen.  W.  F.  Smith,  commanding  Sixth  Army  Corps. 

Brig. -Gen.  Sam.  D.  Sturgis,  commanding  Second  Division,  Ninth 
Army  Corps. 

Brig. -Gen.  Edward  Ferero,  commanding  Second  Brigade,  Second  Di 
vision,  Ninth  Army  Corps. 

Brig. -Gen.  John  Cochrane,  commanding  First  Brigade,  Third  Division, 
Sixth  Armv  Corps.  4 

Lieut. -Col.  J.  II.  Taylor,  Acting  Adjutant-General  Rignt  Grand  Di 
vision. 

By  command  of  Maj.-Gen.  A.  E.  BURNSIDE. 

LEWIS   RICHMOND,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

President  Lincoln  was  not  willing  to  permit  the  dismissal 
of  the  disaffected  or  demoralized  generals,  whose  partisan 
feelings  and  prejudices  had  overshadowed  their  entire  con 
duct.  He  accepted  the  alternative,  and  relieved  General 
Burnside  from  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
conferring  the  command  on  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Hooker.  In 
turning  over  the  command  to  General  Hooker,  General 
Burnside  issued  the  following  farewell  address  : 


GE.\.    AM/i/tOSE   E.    BURXSIDE. 


2OI 


IlKADt^L'ARTKRS  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE   POTOMAC,  ~) 

CAMP  NEAR  FALMOUTH,  Jan.  26,  1863.         j 
General  Orders,  A'<>.  y. 

Bv  direction  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  the  commanding 
general  this  day  transfers  the  command  of  this  army  to  Maj.-Gen.  Joseph 
Hooker. 

The  short  time  that  he  lias  directed  your  movements  has  not  heen 
fruitful  of  victory,  nor  any  considerable  advancement  of  our  lines,  but  it 
has  again  demonstrated  an  amount  of  courage,  patience,  and  endurance 
that,  under  more  favorable  circumstances,  would  have  accomplished 
great  results. 

Continue  to  exercise  these  virtues,  be  true  in  your  devotion  to  your 
country  and  the  principles  you  have  sworn  to  maintain,  give  to  the  brave 
and  skillful  general  who  has  long  been  identified  with  your  organization, 
and  who  is  now  to  command  you,  your  full  and  cordial  support  and  co 
operation,  and  you  will  deserve  success. 

Your  general,  in  taking  an  affectionate  leave  of  the  army,  from  which 
he  separates  with  so  much  regret,  may  be  pardoned  if  he  bids  an  espe 
cial  farewell  to  his  long  and  tried  associates  of  the  Ninth  Corps.  His 
prayers  are  that  God  may  be  with  you,  and  grant  you  continued  success 
until  the  Rebellion  is  crushed. 

Uy  command  of  Maj. -Gen.    A.    K.    1JURNS1DE. 
LEWIS   RICHMOND,  Assis/a/i/  Adjutant-General. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


RESIGN' ATIOX  OF  HIS  COMMISSION  NOT  ACCEPTED  BY  PRESIDENT 
LINCOLN  — RETURN  TO  RHODE  ISLAND  —  PLACED  INT  COMMAND 
OF  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  OHIO  — SUPPRESSION  OF  TREA 
SON—KENTUCKY  QUIETED -VISITS  TO  LIBERTY  AXD  HAMILTON 
—  ARREST  AND  TRIAL  OF  VALLANDIGHAM  —  SUPPRESSION  OF 
NEWSPAPERS  — MORGAN'S  RAID  — THE  KENTUCKY  CAMPAIGN. 

RELIEVED  at  his  own  request  from  the  command  of 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  General  Burnside  went 
to  Washington,  where  he  formally  tendered  his  re 
signation  as  a  major-general  of  volunteers  to  the  President, 
but  Mr.  Lincoln  declined  to  receive  it,  quaintly  remarking 
that  he  had  "  other  fish  for  him  to  fry."  General  Burnside 
replied  that  he  would  willingly  accept  any  command,  he 
cared  not  what  it  was,  but  that  he  was  extremely  reluctant 
to  wear  a  major-general's  shoulder-straps,  and  draw  a 
major-general's  pay,  while  doing  nothing  to  earn  his  honor 
or  his  money.  The  genuine  honesty,  sincerity,  and  un 
selfish  patriotism  of  the  man  were  everywhere  understood, 
and  his  journey  from  Washington  to  Providence, .accom 
panied  by  Mrs.  Burnside,  was  a  continuous  ovation,  the 
people  assembling  in  crowds  at  the  stations  to  do  him 
honor. 

It  was  understood  that  he  desired  to   avoid  any  demon- 


GEN.    A. \fIUfOSE  E.    KUKNSIDE.  2O^ 

o 

stration  on  his  arrival  at  his  old  home,  yet  an  immense 
concourse  of  citizens  had  assembled  at  the  railroad-station 
to  greet  him,  and  they  attested  their  sympathetic  interest 
by  earnest  and  continuous  cheers.  The  Legislature,  which 
was  in  session,  passed  a  complimentary  resolution  inviting 
him  to  visit  the  Senate  and  the  House  of  Representatives, 
in  their  respective  chambers.  All  formalities  were  there 
dispensed  with,  the  members  thronged  around  the  beloved 
hero,  and  the  most  cordial  and  heart-felt  greetings  were 
universally  interchanged.  Rhode  Island  welcomed  him 
back  to  his  old  home,  and  told  him  to  rest  assured  that 
time  had  only  strengthened  her  admiration  for  him,  as  one 
of  the  noblest  and  best  of  her  warrior-heroes.  After  re 
maining  at  home  four  days,  he  returned  to  Washington, 
hoping  to  have  the  command  of  his  old  Ninth  Corps. 

Stopping  at  New  York  on  the  way,  to  attend  the  mar 
riage  of  Maj.  Ed.  M.  Neill,  a  member  of  his  staff',  he 
was  also  present  at  the  meeting  of  the  United  States 
Christian  Commission,  where  he  made  a  brief,  but  effec 
tive  speech,  declaring  that  it  was  the  duty  of  every  man  to 
stand  by  the  administration  and  the  government.  "  Sol 
diers/'  he  said,  "  remember  that  while  it  is  noble  and  grand 
to  entertain  personal  friendship  for  their  commander,  it  is 
ignominious  to  give  a  blind  adherence  to  any  man,  or  any 
specific  line  of  policy.  They  are  in  the  field  to  give  their 
whole  strength  and  energy  in  support  of  their  govern 
ment." 

President  Lincoln,  after  several  consultations  with  Gen 
eral  Burnside,  placed  him  in  command  of  the  Department 
of  the  Ohio.  The  Union  cause  was  not  then  in  a  verv 
promising  condition  in  that  vicinity.  Kentucky,  although 
nominally  loyal,  was  only  held  in  the  Union  by  martial 
law,  and  was  traversed  from  time  to  time  by  raiding  bodies 


GE.V.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

of  rebel  cavalry.  Sympathizers  with  secession  were 
boldly  endeavoring  to  corrupt  public  sentiment  in  Ohio, 
Indiana,  and  Illinois,  and  were  threatening  to  liberate  the 
rebel  prisoners  confined  in  various  localities.  It  was  ex 
pected  that  in  the  spring  an  attempt  would  be  made  to  lib 
erate  East  Tennessee,  and  the  situation  all  around  required 
great  tact  and  skill  on  the  part  of  the  department  com 
mander.  General  Burnside,  before  leaving  Washington 
for  Ohio,  requested,  and  was  promised,  that  two  divisions 
of  his  favorite  Ninth  Corps  should  be  sent  after  him  with 
out  delay. 

Arriving  at  Cincinnati  on  the  24th  of  March,  1863,  the 
general  issued  the  following  orderthe  next  morning  : 

o  o 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OK  THE  OHIO,  ) 
CINX-IXKATI,  O.,  March  25,  1863.  J 

General  Orders.,  No.  27. 

In  accordance  with  the  instructions  from  the  general-in-chief,  the 
undersigned  hereby  assumes  command  of  the  Department  of  the  Ohio. 

A.   E.   BURNSIDE, 

Major- General  Commanding 
LEWIS  RICHMOND,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

Serenaded  by  a  large  assemblage  of  citizens,  General 
Burnside  appeared  on  the  balcony  of  the  Burnet  House, 
and  was  introduced  by  Major-General  Wallace,  who  said 
it  was  an  inexpressible  pleasure  to  introduce  the  gene.ral 
to  them.  "The  great  West,''  said  he,  "loves  all  her  sons, 
of  whom  it  is  enough  to  say  Ambrose  Burnside  is  the  truest 
and  best." 

General  Burnside  was- greeted  with  prolonged  cheers, 
which  having  subsided,  he  said  he  begged  to  thank  those 
present  for  the  very  kind  reception  they  had  given  him. 
He  considered  it  all  the  more  complimentary  as  coming 


BUUNSIDE'S  WELCOME  AT  KNOXVILLE. 
From  a  Sketch  in  Hc.rpcr's  Weekly. 


206  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

from  the  people  of  this  section,  from  whom  he  had  been 
absent  many  years.  It  was  the  more  gratifying,  too,  be 
cause  it  indicated  that,  in  the  performance  of  his  duties, 
they,  without  looking  at  results,  had  confidence  in  his  hav 
ing  endeavored  to  discharge  them  faithfully  and  conscien 
tiously. 

He  came  here  (General  Burnside  said),  actuated  by  the 
same  motives.  He  came  to  them  in  full  faith  in  the  success 
of  our  cause*,  He  had  never,  for  one  single  moment, 
doubted  its  success.  Since  he  had  been  in  the  service,  he 
had  had,  as  they  well  knew,  as  many  dark  hours  as  any 
soldier  of  the  same  military  experience,  but  in  the  darkest 
moment  he  had  not  doubted  the  success  of  a  cause  founded 
on  the  right,  against  a  rebellion  founded  upon  fraud  and 
deceit.  He  warned  them  that  ambition  was  the  vice  of 
republics,  against  which  they  should  fight  as  much  as 
against  deceit  and  fraud.  Ours  was  a  cause  in  which  all 
should  put  their  hearts. 

General  Burnside,  in  conclusion,  thanked  them  again  for 
their  attention,  and  was  about  retiring,  when  they  called 
upon  him  to  go  on.  He  replied  that  he  had  not  the  faculty 
of  making  long  speeches ;  if  he  had,  he  would  address 
them  for  a  half-hour  with  pleasure.  He  would  rather  fight 
than  speak. 

Finding  that  treason  had  been  at  a  premium  and  loyalty 
at  a  discount  on  both  banks  of  the  Ohio  River,  and  that 
organizations  for  sustaining  lines  of  communication  to  the 
enemy  had  been  established,  General  Burnside  issued  the 
following  order  : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  OHIO,  ) 
CINCINNATI,  O  ,  April  13,  1863.  ) 

General  Orders,  No.  jtf. 

The  commanding  general  publishes,  for  the  information  of  all   con 
cerned,  that  hereafter  all  persons  found  within  our  lines  who  commit  acts 


uUVOvAxv^SW* 


BUKNSIDE'S    WELCOME    AT    KNOXVILLE. 


JIc.rper's 


206  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

from  the  people  of  this  section,  from  whom  he  had  been 
absent  many  years.  It  was  the  more  gratifying,  too,  be 
cause  it  indicated  that,  in  the  performance  of  his  duties, 
they,  without  looking  at  results,  had  confidence  in  his  hav 
ing  endeavored  to  discharge  them  faithfully  and  conscien 
tiously. 

He  came  here  (General  Burnside  said),  actuated  by  the 
same  motives.  He  came  to  them  in  full  faith  in  the  success 
of  our  cause.  He  had  never,  for  one  single  moment, 
doubted  its  success.  Since  he  had  been  in  the  service,  he 
had  had,  as  they  well  knew,  as  many  dark  hours  as  any 
soldier  of  the  same  military  experience,  but  in  the  darkest 
moment  he  had  not  doubted  the  success  of  a  cause  founded 
on  the  right,  against  a  rebellion  founded  upon  fraud  and 
deceit.  He  warned  them  that  ambition  was  the  vice  of 
republics,  against  which  they  should  fight  as  much  as 
against  deceit  and  fraud.  Ours  was  a  cause  in  which  all 
should  put  their  hearts. 

General  Burnside,  in  conclusion,  thanked  them  again  for 
'their  attention,  and  was  about  retiring,  when  they  called 
upon  him  to  go  on.  He  replied  that  he  had  not  the  faculty 
of  making  long  speeches ;  if  he  had,  he  would  address 
them  for  a  half-hour  with  pleasure.  He  would  rather  fight 
than  speak. 

Finding  that  treason  had  been  at  a  premium  and  loyalty 
at  a  discount  on  both  banks  of  the  Ohio  River,  and  that 
organizations  for  sustaining  lines  of  communication  to  the 
enemy  had  been  established,  General  Burnside  issued  the 
following  order  : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  OHIO,  ) 

CINCINNATI,  O  ,  April  13,  1863.  ) 

General  Orders,  No.  j5. 

The  commanding  general  publishes,  for  the   information  of  all   con 
cerned,  that  hereafter  all  persons  found  within  our  lines  who  commit  acts 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 


207 


for  the  benefit  of  the  enemies  of  our  country,  will  be  tried  as  5pies,  or 
traitors,  and  if  convicted,  will  sutler  death.  This  order  includes  the  fol 
lowing  classes  of  persons  : 

Carriers  of  secret  mails. 

Writers  of  letters  sent  by  secret  mails. 

Secret  recruiting-officers  within  the  lines. 

Persons  who  have  entered  into  an  agreement  to  pass  our  lines  for  the 
purpose  of  joining  the  enemy. 

Persons  found  concealed  within  our  lines  belonging  to  the  service  of 
the  enemy,  and,  in  fact,  all  persons  found  improperly  within  our  lines 
who  could  give  private  information  to  the  enemy. 

All  persons  within  our  lines  who  harbor,  protect,  conceal,  feed,  clothe, 
or  in  any  way  aid  the  enemies  of  our  country. 

The  habit  of  declaring  sympathies  for  the  enemy  will  no  longer  be 
tolerated  in  this  department.  Persons  committing  such  offences  will  be 
at  once.arresled,  with  a  view  to  being  tried  as  above  stated,  or  sent  beyond 
our  lines  into  the  lines  of  their  friends. 

It  must  be  distinctly  understood  that  treason,  expressed  or  implied,  will 
not  be  tolerated  in  this  department. 

All  officers  and  soldiers  are  strictly  charged  with  the  execution  of  this 
order. 

By  command  of  Maj.-Gen.  A.  E.  BURXSIDE. 

LEWIS  RICHMOND,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

General  Burnside  then  went  to  Kentucky,  where  he 
issued  such  orders  as  secured  the  capture  of  the  rebel 
General  Pegram,  and  took  steps  to  check  the  undercurrent 
of  rebellious  sentiment  which  had  been  flowing  unchecked 
through  the  State.  Returning  to  Ohio,  he  made  a  brief 
visit  to  Liberty,  Ind.,  his  birth-place,  where  he  said,  in  a 
speech  to  the  friends  of  his  boyhood:  "I  have  entered 
into  the  service  from  an  honest  conviction  of  duty.  For 
all  I  am,  I  owe  to  my  government ;  and  I  am  ready  to  give 
all  my  services  and  my  life,  if  necessary,  to  my  country's 
cause.  No  patriot  will  do  less  because  the  government 
happens  to  be  administered  by  an  administration  that  is 
not  of  his  choice.  I  was  a  supporter  of  the  Buchanan  ad 
ministration,  but  when  war  was  made  upon  my  govern 
ment,  I  felt  it  no  less  my  duty  to  give  it  my  support  because 


2o8  LIFE   AXD   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

it  had  passed  into  other  hands,  than  if  it  had  remained  in 
his." 

He  also  made  a  brief  speech  at  a  Union  demonstration  at 
Hamilton,  Ohio,  in  which  he  said,  "I  do  not  come  here 
to-day  to  identify  myself  by  remarks  with  any  political 
creed  or  doctrine,  but  to  meet  and  confer  with  the  friends 
of  the  country.  I  came  here  to  meet  the  loyal  citizens  of 
this  neighborhood,  many  of  whom  knew  me. in  my  boy 
hood,  and  as  I  could  not  see  them  all  singly,  this  afforded 
me  an  excellent  opportunity  to  make  my  acknowledg 
ments  for  the  interest  they  have  shown  in  my  welfare. 
Therefore  I  may  be  excused  for  absence  from  headquar 
ters  for  a  few  hours.  It  certainly  affords  me  great  pleas 
ure  to  meet  my  friends  who  have  done  me  the  honor  of 
coming  here  to  meet  me,  and  especially  to  learn  that  there 
are  so  many  earnest  hearts  interested  in  the  cause  of  the 
country.  I  am  blessed  with  little  more  authority  than  you 
here  in  suppressing  treason,  and  all  those  acts  which  go  to 
create  dissensioij  ;  and  I  deem  it  the  duty  of  every  man 
and  woman  to  aid  me  in  this  work." 

Some  of  the  Democratic  members  of  Congress  in  the 
Department  of  the  Ohio,  returning  to  their  homes,  began 
making  incendiary  speeches,  in  which  they  encouraged  a 
resistance  to  the  draft ;  and  Mr.  Clement  L.  Vallandigharn, 
addressing  an  audience  at  Mt.  Vernon,  on  the  ist  of  May, 
after  attempting  to  show  that  President  Lincoln  was  a 
tyrant,  reminded  his  hearers  that  "resistance  to  tyrants  is 
obedience  to  God/' 

When  this  speech  was  brought  to  the  attention  of  Gene 
ral  Burnside,  he  immediately  dispatched  a  company  of 
United  States  infantry  with  an  order  directing  its  captain 
to  arrest  Mr.  Vallandigharn,  at  his  residence  at  Dayton. 
The  valiant  orator  made  a  feeble  resistance,  when  he  was 


GEN.    A  Mltlt  OS E   K.    7»V  'A\\'S //)/?. 


2Og 


taken  and  carried  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  was  placed 
under  guard  at  the  Burnet  House,  and  arraigned,  a  few 
days  afterwards,  before  a  military  commission.  Applica 
tion  was  made  to  the 
United  States  Circuit 
Court,  Judge  Leavitt 
presiding,  for  a  writ 
of  habeas  corpus  in 
behalf  of  Vallandig- 
ham,  and  General 
Burnside,  having  re 
ceived  notice,  made 
a  response  in  oppo 
sition  to  the  granting 
of  the  writ,  which 
was  characterized  by 
his  usual  common 
sense. 

After  deprecating 

the  violence  of  orators  and  presses  in  assailing  the  army, 
and  the  organization  of  secret  political  societies  which 
created  dissensions  and  discord  amounting  to  treason, 
General  Burnside  declared  that  these  orators  and  presses 
must  be  careful  as  to  what  they  said.  "They  must  not 
use  license  and  plead  that  they  are  exercising  liberty. 
In  this  department  it  cannot  be  done.  I  shall  use  all 
the  power  I  have  to  break  down  such  license,  and  I  am 
sure  I  will  be  sustained  in  this  course  by  all  honest  men. 
At  all  events,  I  will  have  the  consciousness,  before  God, 
of  having  done  my  duty  to  my  country  ;  and  when  I  am 
swerved  from  the  performance  of  that  duty  by  any  pres 
sure,  public  or  private,  or  by  any  prejudice,  I  will  no 
longer  be  a  man  or  a  patriot." 
u 


2io  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

The  court  refused  to  grant  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus, 
and  the  military  commission  sentenced  Vallandigham  to 
close  confinement  in  Fort  Warren,  Boston  Harbor,  during 
the  remainder  of  the  war.  President  Lincoln,  however, 
afterwards  commuted  the  sentence  to  banishment  into  the 
Confederacy,  and  Mr.  Vallandigham  was  taken  to  Nash- 

j    7  O 

ville,  where  General  Rosecrans,  under  a  flag  of  truce, 
delivered  him  into  the  lines  of  the  Confederates.  General 
Burnside  was  also  called  on  to  send  through  the  lines  the 
mother  and  the  sister  of  a  lady  for  whom  he  had,  in  his 
younger  days,  a  sincere  attachment,  they  having  been  de 
tected  in  attempting  to  carry  letters,  quinine,  opium,  and 
camphor  through  the  lines. 

The  arrest  and  trial  of  Mr.  Vallandigham  and  the  effi 
cient  manner  in  which  treasonable  correspondence  with  the 
South  was  checked,  was  severely  commented  on  by  papers 
opposed  to  the  administration,  and  General  Burnside  was 
finally  provoked  into  the  issue  of  the  following  order  : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  OHIO,  ) 

CINCINNATI,  O.,  June  i,  1863.  j 

General  Orders,  JV0.  $j. 

I.  The  tendency  of  the  opinions  and  articles   habitually  published  in 
the  newspaper  known  as  the  New  York   World  being  to  cast  reproach 
upon  the  government,  and  to  weaken  its  efforts  to  suppress  the  Rebellion, 
by  creating  distrust  in   its  war  policy,  its  circulation  in  time  of  war  is 
calculated  to  exert  a  pernicious  and  treasonable  influence,  and  is  there 
fore  prohibited  in  this  department. 

II.  Postmasters,  news  agents,  and  all  others  will  govern  themselves 
by  this  order,  as  any  person  detected  in  forwarding,  selling,  or  in  any 
way  circulating  the  paper  referred  to,  will  be  promptly  arrested  and  held 
for  trial. 

III.  On  account  of  the  repeated  expression  of  disloval  and  incendiary 
sentiments,   the   publication   of  the   newspaper  known   as    the   Chicago 
Times  is  hereby  suppressed. 

IV.  Brig.-Gen.  Jacob  Ammen,  commanding  the  District  of  Illinois,  is 
charged  with  the  execution  of  the  third  paragraph  of  this  order. 

By  command  of  Major-General  BURNSIDE. 
LEWIS  RICHMOND,  Lieutenant-  Colonel  and  Assistant  Adjutant- General. 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE.  2II 

Powerful  influence  was  brought  upon  the  President  to 
secure  a  revocation  of  the  salutary  order,  and  it  was  finally 
successful.  The  opposition  press,  however,  was  thence 
forth  more  moderate  in  its  tone,  while  the  sympathizers 
with  secession  in  Ohio  secured  Vallandigham's  nomination 
by  the  Democratic  party  for  governor.  The  people  of  that 
State  repudiated  him,  and  he  was  defeated  by  a  large  ma 
jority. 

Meanwhile  General  Burnside  left  Cincinnati  on  the  3oth 
of  May,  1863,  for  Hickman's  Bridge,  a  point  twenty-six 
miles  beyond  Lexington,  Ky.,  where  he  proposed  to  direct 
in  person- his  regiments  for  the  deliverance  *of  the  loyal 
people  of  East  Tennessee  ;  but  when  he  reached  Lexing 
ton  he  received  an  order  to  reinforce  General  Grant,  then 
moving  against  Vicksburg,  'with  eight  thousand  men.  It 
was  instantly  obeyed,  and  the  Ninth  Corps,  under  General 
Parke,  was  dispatched  with  a  promptness  for  which  Presi 
dent  Lincoln  telegraphed  his  most  cordial  thanks.  General 
Burnside  wished  to  accompany  his  command,  but  the  Sec 
retary  of  War  would  not  permit,  and  he  returned  to  Cin 
cinnati,  arriving  there  in  time  to  organize  the  militia  of 
Ohio  and  Indiana  in  opposition  to  a  raid  of  Confederates 
commanded  by  General  Morgan,  who  was  captured  with 
the  remnant  of  his  party,  four  hundred  in  number,  and 
imprisoned  in  the  Ohio  penitentiaries. 

Having  relieved  Indiana  and  Ohio  from  Morgan's  raid 
ers,  General  Burnside  turned  his  attention  to  Kentucky, 
where  the  sympathizers  with  secession  hoped  that  with  the 
help  of  the  guerillas  they  could  triumph.  A  law  of  Ken 
tucky  provided  that  any  man  who  had  been  in  the  rebel 
service,  or  who  had  given  voluntary  aid  or  assistance  to 
the  rebels,  thereby  forfeited  his  rights  as  a  citizen.  To 
prevent  their  illegal  voting,  General  Burnside  issued  the 
following  order : 


212 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE. 


HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  OHIO.  ] 
CINCINNATI,  O.,  July  31,  1863  I 

General  Order*.  No.  120. 

Whereas,  the  State  of  Kentucky  is  invaded  by  a  rebel  force  with  the 
avowed  intention  of  over-awing  the  judges  of  elections,  of  intimidating 
the  loyal  voters,  keeping  them  from  the  polls  and  forcing  the  electing  of 
disloyal  candidates  at  the  election  on  the  3d  of  August;  and,  whereas,  the 
military  power  of  the  government  is  the  only  force  that  can  defeat  this 
attempt,  the  State  of  Kentucky  is  hereby  declared  under  martial  law,  and 
all  military  officers  are  commanded  to  aid  the  constituted  authorities  of 
the  State  in  the  support  of  the  laws  and  of  the  purity  of  suffrage,  as  de 
fined  in  the  late  proclamation  of  His  Excellency,  Governor  Robinson. 

As  it  is  not  the  intention  of  the  commanding  general  to  interfere  with 
the  proper  expression  of  public  opinion,  all  discretion  in  the  conduct  of 
the  election  \\~\\\  lie  as  usual  in  the  hands  of  the  legally  appointed  judges 
at  the  polls,  who  will  be  held  stnctlv  responsible  that  no  disloyal  person 
be  allowed  to  vote,  and  to  this  end  the  military  power  is  ordered  to  give 
them  its  utmost  support. 

The  civil  authority,  civil  courts,  and  business  will  not  be  suspended  by 
this  order.  It  is  for  the  purpose  only  of  protecting,  if  necessary,  the 
rights  of  loyal  citizens,  and  the  freedom  of  election. 

By  command  of  Major-General  BURNSIDE. 
LEWIS  RICHMOND.  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


The  Scene  nf  Long-street's  Attack  on  Fort  Sounders. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


MARCH  ACROSS  KENTUCKY  -  PRESERVATION  OF  ORDER -CROSSING 
THE  CUMBERLAND  MOUNTAINS -THE  UNION  TROOPS  RE 
CEIVED  WITH  ENTHUSIASM  — OCCUPATION  OF  KNOXVILLE- 
RESIGNAT1ON  AGAIN  TENDERED  AND  AGAIN  REFUSED— AR 
RIVAL  OF  GENERAL  LONGSTREET— FI VE  BATTLES  IX  FOUR 
DAYS  -SIEGE  OF  KNOXVILLE  -  RETURN  TO  RHODE  ISLAND. 

THE  staunch  old  State  of  Kentucky  was  of  loyal 
heart.  Mr.  Bramlette,  the  Union  candidate  for 
governor,  was  elected,  and  General  Burnside 
next  turned  his  attention  to  the  deliverance  of  the  long- 
oppressed  citizens  of  East  Tennessee.  The  Ninth  Corps 
was  unavoidably  detained  by  General  Grant  in  Mississippi, 
having  been  so  often  transferred  from  one  department  to 
another,  that  it  was  known  as  "  Burnside's  Geography 
Class";  and  before  it  had  again  reported  for  duty  to  him, 
General  Burnside  had  started  on  his  mountain  march.  On 
the  sixteenth  day  of  August,  1863,  General  Rosecrans  left 
Winchester  for  Chattanooga,  and  on  the  same  day  Gen 
eral  Burnside  left  Lexington  for  Knoxville.  The  follow 
ing  order,  issued  by  General  Burnside,  to  be  distributed 


214  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

along  the  route  of  his  march,  showed  his  solicitude  for  the 
inhabitants  of  the  country  through  which  his  route  lay, 
and  his  determination  to  have  daily  religious  exercises 
when  practicable.  He  always  encouraged  divine  services 
in  camp,  and  in  his  daily  trials  placed  his  prayerful  trust 
in  the  Divine  care,  relying  upon  Almighty  help  to  aid  him 
in  his  difficulties  and  his  duty  : 

HEADqUARTERS    ARMY    OF    THE    OlIIO, 

CAMP  NELSON,  Aug.  14,  1863. 
General  Orders,  J\ro.  2. 

I.  The  general  commanding  calls  upon  all  members  of  his  command 
to  remember  that  the  present  campaign  takes  them  through  a  friendlv 
territory,  and    that  humanity  and   the  best  interests  of  the    service  re 
quire  that  the  peaceable   inhabitants  be  treated  with   kindness,  and  that 
every  protection  be  given  by  the  soldiers  to  them  and  to  their  property. 

II.  Officers  will  enforce  the  strictest  discipline  to  prevent  straggling, 
any  ill-treatment  of  citizens,  depredations,  or  willful  destruction   of  pri 
vate  property;  and  each  officer  will  be  held  strictly  responsible  for  of 
fences  of  such  nature,  committed  by  men  under  his  command. 

III.  No  prisoners  will  be  liberated  on  parole,  but  will  be  conducted 
under  guard  to  the  authorities  appointed  to  receive  them. 

IV.  It  must  also  be  distinctly  understood,  that  this  war  is  conducted 
for  national  objects,  and  that  any  desire  which  may  exist  on  the  part  of 
soldiers  to  avenge  their  private  wrongs,  must  yield  to  a  proper  observ 
ance  of  the  well-established  usages  of  civilized  warfare. 

V.  Prisoners  of  war,  particularly  the  wounded,  will  be  treated  with 
every  consideration  consistent  with  their  safe-keeping,  and  any  ill-treat 
ment  or  insults  offered  to  them  will  be  severely  punished. 

VI.  Whenever  regimental  evening  dress-parades  are  held,  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  commanding  officer  to  see   that  the  chaplain,  or  some 
proper  person,  in  his  absence,  holds  some  short  religious  service,  such  as 
the  reading  of  a  portion  of  the  Scripture,  with  appropriate  prayer  for  the 
protection  and  assistance  of  Divine  Providence. 

By  order  of  Maj. -Gen.   A    E.   BURXSIDE. 
LEWIS  RICHMOND,  Affistant  Adjutant-General. 

General  Burnside's  inarch  over  the  Cumberland  Moun 
tains,  at  the  head  of  eighteen  thousand  men  divided  into 


GEN.   AMBROSE  E.   BURNSIDE. 


21 


five  columns,  was  a  brilliant  achievement.  "  It  was  the 
first  instance,"  says  Col.  William  Goclclard,  "during  the 
war,  in  which  a  commander  had  cut  loose  from  a  base  of 
supplies,  and  it  sug 
gested  to  General 
Burnside  the  concep 
tion  of  a  march  to  the 
sea,  afterwards  so 
skillfully  executed 
by  General  Sher 
man.  General  Burn- 
side's  plan  of  this 
march,  and  his  ap 
plication  to  under 
take  the  expedition, 
are  on  the  files  of 
the  War  Depart 
ment." 

This  march,  over 
the  mountains  which 

the  Confederates  had  regarded  as  an  impregnable  barrier, 
was  an  undertaking  which  throws  the  celebrated  passage 
of  the  Alps  into  the  shade.  "In  many  cases  the  horses 
utterly  failed  to  drag  the  guns  up  the  precipitous  sides  of 
the  ascents,  and  then  the  worn  and  struggling  animals 
gave  place  to  men,  who,  with  hands  and  shoulders  to 
wheel  and  limber,  hoisted  guns  and  caissons  from  height 
to  height.  The  fearful  wayside  was  strewn  with  broken 
wheels  and  vehicles,  and  with  horses  and  mules,  dying 
exhausted  on  the  march.  Baggage  animals,  mules,  and 
drivers,  in  several  instances,  made  missteps  and  rolled 
down  precipices.  Nothing  but  the  indomitable  courage 
and  hardihood  of  Burnside,  nothing  less  lofty  than  the 


PAKSON    liROWNLOW. 


2i6  LIFE   AXD   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

heroism   that   possessed   his  army,   could  have  ever  seen 
such  an  undertaking-  accomplished." 

General  Burnside  was  the  inspiring  spirit  of  the  march, 
and  he  kept  his  men  in  good  heart  as  they  made  this 
forced  march  of  250  miles  in  fourteen  days.  Crossing  the 
summit  ridge,  they  marched  down  upon  the  fertile  plains  of 
East  Tennessee,  and  offered  the  protection  of  the  old  flag 
to  its  oppressed  citizens.  General  Buckner,  the  Confed 
erate  commander,  surprised  by  this  unexpected  advance  of 
a  force  which  appeared  to  have  been  brought  over  the 
mountains  in  balloons,  retreated  precipitately  to  join  Gen 
eral  Bragg  at  Chickamauga.  He  did  not  even  wait  to 
send  word  to  his  detachment  which  was  £niardin£  Cum- 

o  o 

berland  Gap. 

As  the  Union  forces  advanced  they  were  received  by 
the  long-suffering  loyalists,  who  welcomed  their  deliverers 
and  entertained  them  with  good-cheer.  The  stars  and 
stripes,  which  had  been  concealed  in  houses  or  buried  in 
the  ground,  were  taken  from  their  hiding-places,  and  soon 
floated  on  the  breeze  from  every  house.  "  Bless  the  Lord, 
the  Yankees  have  come  ;  the  old  flag  has  come  back  to 
Tennessee!"  were  the  shouts  that  gave  expression  to  the 
people's  joy.  Gray-haired  men,  with  tears  streaming 
down  their  cheeks,  women  who  had  lost  everything,  and 
children  whose  tender  age  had  not  escaped  the  cruelty  of 
the  rebel  rule,  came  forth  to  meet  the  general  and  his 
officers  at  every  turn,  and  to  express  their  gratitude  for 
their  redemption.  it  was  a  scene  of  grateful  joy  that 
baffles  all  attempt  at  description. 

As  General  Burnside  sought  his  quarters  after  his  arrival 
at  Knoxville,  he  had  the  gratification  of  resting  in  the 
midst  of  as  loval  people  as  could  be  found  in  the  Union, 
who  joyouslv  hailed  him  as  their  redeemer  from  a  terrible 


GEN.   AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 


217 


IIEADQUAKTHUS    AT    KNOXVILLE. 


despotism.       The    satisfaction    of    such  a  triumph    might 
well  repay  him  for  the  disappointment  and  defeat  at  Fred- 
ericksburg.     After  stopping  a  few  days  at  Knoxville,  he 
pushed  forward,  making  a  forced  march  of  sixty  miles  in 
two  days,  to  Cumberland 
Gap,    the    unconditional 
surrender    of   which    he 
demanded.      The    Con 
federate    commander, 
General    Frazer,   seeing 
that  successful  resistance 
was   impossible,    surren 
dered,  with  2,500  prison 
ers,  2,000  stand  of  small 
arms,    eleven    pieces    of 
artillery,     and     a     large 
quantity  of  ammunition. 

Suffering  from  a  complaint  which  had  troubled  him  all 
summer,  and  anxious  to  pay  some  attention  to  his  private 
affairs,  General  Burnside  tendered  his  resignation  on  the 
loth  of  September,  1863,  and  received  from  President  Lin 
coln  the  following  reply  over  the  wires  :  "A  thousand 
thanks  for  the  late  success  you  have  given  us.  We  can 
not  allow  you  to  resign  until  things  shall  be  a  little  more 
settled  in  East  Tennessee."  General  Ilalleck  also  tele 
graphed  his  congratulations,  and  directed  General  Burn- 
side  to  hold  certain  points  between  his  forces  and  those  of 
General  Rosecrans. 

While  at  Cumberland  Gap,  General  Burnside  was  in 
formed  that  General  Rosecrans  was  triumphantly  advanc 
ing,  but  it  soon  appeared  that  this  was  not  the  case.  Gen 
eral  Longstreet  had  reinforced  General  Bragg,  and  the 
combined  armies  had  forced  General  Rosecrans  back  to 


2i8  LIFE  AND  PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

the  defenses  of  Chattanooga.  General  Longstreet  then 
undertook  to  strike  and  destroy  General  Burnsicle  before 
General  Grant  could  succor  him,  and  then  to  return  to  Gen 
eral  Bragg  before  General  Grant  could  reach  him.  Gen 
eral  Longstreet  appeared  near  London,  on  the  Tennessee 
River,  on  the  night  of  Nov.  14,  1863,  and  General  Burn- 
side  drove  his  forces  back  to  the  river  in  a  storm.  He 
contemplated  renewing  his  attack  on  the  following  morn 
ing,  but  the  receipt  of  a  dispatch  from  General  Grant,  late 
at  night,  changed  his  plans. 

"I  shall  withdraw  my  command  to  Knoxville,"  said 
General  Burnside.  "Why  so?"  said  one  of  his  staff,  "you 
can  easily  beat  the  enemy,  as  he  is  at  present  situated,  and 
drive  him  back  across  the  river.  If  we  start  we  are  lost; 
he  will  bring  his  entire  force  against  us,  and  we  shall  be 
defeated  and  ruined.''  "That  may  be  true,"  replied  Gen 
eral  Burnside,  "but  it  will  benefit  Grant,  if  we  can  draw 
Longstreet  away  from  his  front,  more  than  it  will  injure  us. 
If  General  Grant  can  destroy  Bragg,  it  is  of  no  great  con 
sequence  what  becomes  of  ourselves.  Order  the  troops  to 
be  ready  to  march  in  the  morning." 

The  bugle  sounded  the  advance  before  daylight  the  next 
morning,  and  General  Burnside  retired  to  Lenoir,  where, 
on  Sunday,  the  i5th  of  November,  a  desperate  battle  was 
fought,  General  Longstreet  taking  the  offensive,  and  meet 
ing  with  a  damaging  repulse.  General  Burnside,  out 
numbered,  but  certainly  not  out-fought,  continued  his  re 
treat,  but  as  the  pursuit  was  hot,  he  fought  a  third  and  ap 
parently  a  severe  battle  on  Monday,  November  16,  at 
Campbell  Station.  Unable  to  maintain  his  position,  he 
again  retreated,  and  fought  his  fourth  battle  a  short  dis 
tance  in  the  rear  of  the  field  upon  which  the  second  was 
fought.  On  Monday  night  he  again  retreated,  and  on 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE.  219 

Tuesday  fought  a  fifth  battle,  near  Knoxville.  Five  battles 
in  four  days,  from  an  army  in  retreat  before  a  superior 
force,  speak  all  the  praise  that  could  possibly  be  given  to 
a  commander  or  to  his  men. 


THE    OLD    "WHVJ"   OFFICE,    KNOXVILLE. 

General  Longstreet  now  marched  to  Knoxville,  where 
he  found  General  Burnside  and  his  garrison  ready  to  re 
ceive  him.  The  fortifications  which  encircled  the  city 
were  connected  by  a  continuous  line  of  rifle-pits,  the 
roads  leading  to  the  city  were  well  picketed,  and  skir 
mishers  were  kept  out  from  five  hundred  to  a  thousand 
yards  in  front.  The  men  were  in  good  spirits,  and  sup 
plies  had  been  accumulated  which  would  suffice  for  four 
or  five  weeks'  consumption.  The  siege  was  commenced 
on  the  zyth  of  November,  1863,  and  several  days  were 
marked  by  assaults  and  counter-assaults  between  the  op 
posing  parties.  The  most  desperate  contest  was  early  on 
Sunday  morning,  Nov.  29,  when  an  assaulting  column 
composed  of  three  picked  brigades  moved  against  Fort 
Saunders. 

These  men,  veterans  of  Lee's,  Jackson's,  and  Long- 
street's  forces,  confident  of  promised  victory,  advanced 
into  a  rain  of  lead.  Wires  had  been  stretched  from  stump 
to  stump  in  front  of  the  works.  Over  these  the  advancing 
Confederates  fell  in  confused  heaps,  with  killed  and 


220  GEX.    AMBROSE  E.    BURN  SIDE. 

wounded  all  about  them,  but  they  pressed  onward;  they 
cut  away  the  abatis  ;  they  filled  the  ditch  ;  and  a  few  made 
their  way  up  to  the  top  of  the  parapet.  There  a  terrible 
hand-to-hand  conflict  ensued.  Clubbed  muskets,  bayonets, 
sabres,  even  spades  and  axes,  were  employed  in  the  dread 
ful  work,  and  not  a  score  of  the  brave  storming  party  es 
caped.  A  sortie  was  made  on  the  rear  of  the  assaulting 
column,  which  faltered,  stopped,  and  at  last  retreated  in 
great  confusion.  General  Longstreet  lost,  that  day,  up 
wards  of  one  thousand  men.  General  Burnside  permitted 
him  to  remove  his  wounded  and  bury  his  dead,  but  there 
was  no  disposition  to  renew  the  attack. 

General  Grant  had  meanwhile  sent  General  Sherman  to 
relieve  Knoxville,  and  as  he  approached,  General  Long- 
street,  baffled,  disappointed,  and  defeated,  raised  the  siege. 
General  Burnside  issued  an  order  congratulating  his  troops 
on  the  unsurpassed  fortitude  and  patient  watchfulness  with 
which  they  had  sustained  the  wearing  duties  of  the  defense, 
and  the  unyielding  courage  with  which  they  had  repulsed 
the  most  dangerous  assaults.  The  next  day,  having  been 
relieved  b}'  General  Foster,  he  issued  the  following  order, 
in  which  he  took  his  leave  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  : 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  OHIO,  ") 

KXOXVILI.E,  TENX.,  Dec.  16.  1863.  j 
General  Field  Orders,  Xo.  jS. 

In  obedience  to  orders  from  the  War  Department,  the  commanding 
general  this  dav  resigns  to  Maj.-Gen.  John  G.  Foster  the  command  of 
the  Army  of  the  Ohio. 

On  severing  the  tie  which  has  united  him  to  this  gallant  army,  he  can 
not  express  his  deep  personal  feeling  at  parting  from  men  brought  near 
to  him  by  their  mutual  experiences  in  the  eventful  scenes  of  the  past 
campaign,  and  who  have  always,  regardless  of  every  privation  and  of 
every  danger,  cheerfully  and  faithfully  performed  their  duty.  Associ 
ated  with  many  of  their  number  from  the  earliest  days  of  the  war,  he 
takes  leave  of  this  army,  not  onlv  as  soldiers  to  whose  heroism  many  a 


222  LIFE  AND  PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

victorious  battle-field  bears  witness,  but  as  well-tried  friends,  who  in  the 
darkest  hours  have  never  failed  him.  With  the  sincerest  regret  he  leaves 
the  department  without  the  opportunity  of  personally  bidding  them  fare 
well. 

To  the  citizen-soldiers  of  East  Tennessee,  who  proved  their  loyalty  in 
the  trenches  of  Knoxville,  he  tenders  his  warmest  thanks. 

With  the  highest  confidence  in  the  patriotism  and  skill  of  the  distin 
guished  officer  who  succeeds  him,  with  whom  he  has  been  long  and  inti 
mately  connected  in  the  field,  and  who  will  be  welcomed  as  their  leader 
by  those  who  served  with  him  in  the  memorable  campaign  in  North  Car 
olina  ;  and  by  all  as  one  identified  with  some  of  the  most  brilliant  events 
of  the  war,  he  transfers  to  him  the  command,  assured  that  under  his 
guidance  the  bright  record  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  will  never  grow 
dim. 

By  command  of  Major-General  BURNSIDE. 

LEWIS  RICHMOND,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

The  loyal  residents  in  the  valley  of  the  Ohio  parted  with 
General  Burnside  with  great  regret,  for  he  had  established 
the  supremacy  of  the  Union  and  the  laws.  When  he 
assumed  command  he  had  found  his  department  infested 
by  persons  who,  to  use  the  language  of  the  Hon.  Horace 
Binney,  "lived  on  the  margin  of  disobedience  to  the  laws, 
but  against  whom  no  judicial  proceedings  could  be  brought, 
for  the  want  of  a  tribunal  having  jurisdiction."  To  have 
confronted  these  traitors  in  disguise  in  the  ordinary  course 
of  justice,  would  have  insured  their  escape,  and  have 
added  to  the  danger,  frequently  worse  than  open-armed 
resistance.  Military  arrest  and  an  examination  before  a 
military  commission  promptly  checked  them,  just  as  they 
were  passing  from  treason  in  purpose  to  treason  in  act, 
and  the  supremacy  of  the  Union,  the  Constitution,  and  the 
laws  was  asserted. 

Serenaded  at  Cincinnati  before  he  left  for  the  East,  Gen 
eral  Burnside  made  one  of  his  characteristic  speeches,  in 
which  he  modestly  attributed  the  success  of  his  recent 
operations  in  East  Tennessee  to  the  cooperation  of  his  offi- 


222  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

victorious  battle-field  bears  witness,  but  as  well-tried  friends,  who  in  the 
darkest  hours  have  never  failed  him.  With  the  sincerest  regret  he  leaves 
the  department  without  the  opportunity  of  personally  bidding  them  fare 
well. 

To  the  citizen-soldiers  of  East  Tennessee,  who  proved  their  loyalty  in 
the  trenches  of  Knoxville,  he  tenders  his  warmest  thanks. 

With  the  highest  confidence  in  the  patriotism  and  skill  of  the  distin 
guished  officer  who  succeeds  him,  with  whom  he  has  been  long  and  inti 
mately  connected  in  the  field,  and  who  will  be  welcomed  as  their  leader 
by  those  who  served  with  him  in  the  memorable  campaign  in  North  Car 
olina  ;  and  by  all  as  one  identified  with  some  of  the  most  brilliant  events 
of  the  war,  he  transfers  to  him  the  command,  assured  that  under  his 
guidance  the  bright  record  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  will  never  grow 
dim. 

By  command  of  Major-General  BURXSIDE. 

LEWIS  RICHMOND,  Assistant  Adjutant- General. 

The  loyal  residents  in  the  valley  of  the  Ohio  parted  with 
General  Burnside  with  great  regret,  for  he  had  established 
the  supremacy  of  the  Union  and  the  laws.  When  he 
assumed  command  he  had  found  his  department  infested 
by  persons  who,  to  use  the  language  of  the  Hon.  Horace 
Binney,  "lived  on  the  margin  of  disobedience  to  the  laws, 
but  against  whom  no  judicial  proceedings  could  be  brought, 
for  the  want  of  a  tribunal  having  jurisdiction."  To  have 
confronted  these  traitors  in  disguise  in  the  ordinary  course 
of  justice,  would  have  insured  their  escape,  and  have 
added  to  the  danger,  frequently  worse  than  open-armed 
resistance.  Military  arrest  and  an  examination  before  a 
military  commission  promptly  checked  them,  just  as  they 
were  passing  from  treason  in  purpose  to  treason  in  act, 
and  the  supremacy  of  the  Union,  the  Constitution,  and  the 
laws  was  asserted. 

Serenaded  at  Cincinnati  before  he  left  for  the  East,  Gen 
eral  Burnside  made  one  of  his  characteristic  speeches,  in 
which  he  modestly  attributed  the  success  of  his  recent 
operations  in  East  Tennessee  to  the  cooperation  of  his  offi- 


GEN.   AMBROSE  E.    DURNSIDE,  223 

cers,  and  especially  to  the  enlisted  men.  "Thousands  of 
the  men  in  the  ranks,"  said  he,  "deserve  the  credit  that  is 
given  to  the  leaders.  Many  of  them — foreigners  —  have 
no  relatives  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  who  will  ever  hear 
of  them  again,  yet  they  fight  for  the  country  they  love, 
being  actuated  by  genuine  patriotism.  I  owe  all  my  suc 
cess  to  this  patriotism,  and  I  have  never  been  more  truly 
sensible  of  it  than  during  my  last  campaign.  For  one,  I 
shall  never  forget  what  is  due  to  the  men  in  the  ranks." 

Years  afterward,  when  General  Burnside  had  gone  to 
join  his  fallen  comrades  in  the  cold  bivouac  of  the  dead, 
and  the  representatives  of  the  people  were  paying  their 
tributes  of  respect  to  his  memory,  Maj.  Augustus  H.  Petti- 
bone,  the  Representative  from  the  First  District  of  Tennes 
see,  gracefully  laid  a  sprig  of  mountain  laurel  on  the  grave 
of  the  deliverer  of  his  section  of  the  Country.  Said  he  : 

In  the  darkest  hour  of  the  Civil  War  it  was  his  good  fortune  to  lead  the 
Union  forces  across  the  mountains  and  to  bring  back  to  our  people  the 
loved  banner  which  their  fathers  had  followed  when  Andrew  Jackson  led 
the  Tennessee  soldiers  on  the  plains  of  Chalmette  in  the  defense  of  New 
Orleans.  And  it  is  entirely  safe  to  say  that  among  the  homes  of  the 
Union  people  of  eastern  Tennessee,  no  name  is  to-day  held  in  dearer 
remembrance  than  his.  Mis  sojourn  among  them  was  marked  bv  a  flow 
ing  courtesy  toward  all  men  which  softened  the  asperities  of  war,  and 
made  all  to  speak  his  praise.  His  urbanity,  his  leonine  courage,  his 
transparent  honesty,  his  unquestioned  integrity,  his  patriotism,  which 
was  as  broad  as  the  limits  of  the  Union,  stamped  him  a  born  leader  of 
men.  In  my  last  interview  with  him  he  sent  his  good  wishes  to  his  old 
comrades,  and  expressed  his  warm  regard  for  those  whom  he  had  suc 
cored  in  the  dark  days  of  war.  While  stoutly  maintaining  the  Union 
cause,  he  so  bore  himself  that  those  who  had  thrown  their  fortunes  into 
the  scale  of  the  Confederacv  were  compelled  to  honor  the  Union  general 
who  was  tender  toward  the  women  and  children,  the  weak  and  the  suffer 
ing  of  every  age,  class,  and  condition.  Among  our  mountains  hundreds 
of  children  have  been  named  for  him,  for  he  won  the  heart-love  of  our 
people.  But,vsir,  I  speak  no  more  of  his  renown: 

Whatever  record  leaps  to  light, 
He  never  shall  be  shamed. 


\\ 


\m\\\ 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


ORDERED  TO  RECRUIT  TIIK  XIXTII  CORPS  — A  STORV  BY  PRESIDENT 
LINCOLN  — BOSTON'S  SONG-WELCOME  — SPEECH  AT  CHICAGO  ON 
THE  SITUATION— REORGANIXATION  OF  THE  NINTH  CORPS  — ITS 
REVIEW  BV  THE  PRESIDENT  -BATTLES  OF  THE  WILDERNESS 
AND  COLD  HARBOR  — CHANGE  OF  BASE. 

ORDERED  to  recruit  and  fill  up  the  Ninth  Army 
Corps,   and  seeking    rest,   General  Burnside  re 
turned  to  his   home  at  Providence,  accompanied 
from  Cleveland  by  Mrs.  Burnside.     They  were  cordially 
received  at  Albany  and  at  New  York  on  their  way,  and  at 
a  dinner  given  to  the  general  at  the  Fifth  Avenue   Hotel, 
the  following'  characteristic  storv  of  Mr.  Lincoln  was  told  : 

O  .  •/ 

A  few  weeks  previous,  when  Mr.  Lincoln  had  received 
telegraphic  information  that  firing  was  heard  in  the  direc 
tion  of  Knoxville,  he  simply  remarked  that  he  was  "glad 
of  it."  One  of  his  Cabinet,  who  knew  the  perils  of  Burn- 
side's  position,  could  not  see  why  the  President  should  be 
"glad  of  it,"  and  he  so  expressed  himself.  "Why,  you 
see,"  responded  Mr.  Lincoln,  "it  reminds  me  of  Mrs. 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BUIfNSIDE. 


225 


SPOTTSYLVANIA    COURT-HOUSE. 


Sallie  Ward,  a  neighbor  of  mine  in  Illinois,  who  had  a 

very   large   family.      Occasionally   one   of  her  numerous 

progeny  would  be  heard  crying  in  some  out  of  the  way 

place,  upon  which  Mrs. 

Sallie    would    exclaim,  %^.. 

'  There's    one    of     my 

children  that  is  n't  dead 

yet.'" 

Visiting  in  turn  the 
capitals  of  New  Eng 
land,  to  encourage  the 
recruiting  of  the  Ninth 
Corps,  General  Burn- 
side  was  made  the  re 
cipient  of  many  flatter 
ing  testimonials  of  the 
public  regard.  At  a 

public  dinner  given  to  him  in  Boston,  the  following  orig 
inal  song  was  sung  by  Samuel  B.  Noyes,  Esq.  : 

"  Here's  a  health  to  the  heart  that  has  weathered  the  storm  ! 

To  the  hero  who  leaped  at  the  bugle's  first  blowing, 
And  rushed  where  the  war  gathered  black  round  his  form, 

Full-armed  for  God's  vengeance  and  Treason's  undoing! 
Hail,  hail  to  the  chief,  from  the  battle's  red  gloom, 
With  the  smell  of  the  strife  on  his  cassock  and  plume  ! 
For  the  welcomes  of  freemen  to  valor  belong, 
And  the  deeds  of  the  brave  are  the  glory  of  song. 

"  From  thy  far,  well-fought  fields,  hail,  O  soldier!  Well  done! 

Where  thy  squadrons  still  march,  and  thy  rifles  are  pealing, 
Thy  foes  and  the  foes  of  thy  country  were  one  ; 

Thy  friends  are  its  friends- — one  in  faith  as  in  feeling. 
Three  cheers  for  thy  laurels,  O  guest  of  the  Free! 
From  the  border,  the  sea-board,  the  blue  Tennessee; 
For  the  welcomes  of  freemen  to  valor  belong, 
And  the  deeds  of  the  brave  are  the  glory  of  song." 


226  LIFE  AXD   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

Meanwhile  stirring  appeals  were  made  to  Union  men  to 
enlist  in  the  Old  Ninth  Corps,  which  was  to  be  recruited  to 
fifty  thousand  men  "for  special  service."  It  was  under 
stood  that  this  "special  service"  was  an  expedition  to 
South  Carolina,  and  as  the  veteran  regiments  were  re 
cruited,  they  rendezvoused  at  Annapolis. 

Among  other  Northern  cities  visited  by  General  Burn- 
side  while  he  was  recruiting  the  Ninth  Corps,  was  Chi 
cago,  where  an  attempt  had  been  made  to  denounce  him 
as  an  "attempted  assassin  of  liberty, "because  he  had  sup 
pressed  a  newspaper  published  there  when  he  was  com 
mander  of  the  Department  of  the  Ohio.  A  public  recep 
tion  was  given  him  by  the  Board  of  Trade,  and  the  hall 
was  literally  packed.  He  was  eloquently  welcomed  by 
Dr.  Daniel  Brainard,  and  then  spoke  at  greater  length 
than  he  ever  had  before  on  the  situation. 

"In  North  Carolina  and  in  East  Tennessee,"  said  he, 
"I  had  the  gallant  cooperation  of  officers,  non-commis 
sioned  officers,  and  privates,  to  whom  a  glory  is  due.  I 
disclaim  for  myself  anything  more  than  what  belongs  sim 
ply  to  the  honest  discharge  of  my  duty  to  my  country  and 
my  God.  I  have  felt  cheerful  and  sanguine  from  the  be 
ginning,  for  the  simple  reason  that  I  have  felt  that  every 
man  should  feel  sanguine  and  cheerful  when  he  has  done 
what  he  conceives  to  be  his  duty,  regardless  of  the  conse 
quences.  I  have  never  felt  that  there  was  anything  wrong 
done  by  me  unless  I  felt  that  I  had  neglected  to  do  some 
thing  I  ought  to  have  done,  and  I  never  afterwards  felt 
that  I  had  done  wrong  when  I  felt  satisfied  at  the  time  that 
I  had  done  what  was  right.  .* 

"  The  presiding  officer  has  referred,"  said  General  Burn- 
side,  "to  an  act  of  mine  which  affected  this  community  to 
a  considerable  extent,  and  had  the  appearance  at  the  time 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE. 


227 


of  an  attempt  to  stifle  the  liberty  of  speech,  and  the  liberty 
of  the  press.  I  am  as  much  of  an  advocate  for  the  liberty 
of  speech  and  of  the  press  as  any  man  on  the  face  of  the 


MAP   OF   TUB    UATTLE-FIELD    OF    SPOTTSYLVANIA. 

globe  can  be,  but  when  I  am  sent  into  a  department  to 
command  soldiers  who  are  to  fight  the  enemies  of  my 
country,  and  who  should  be  strengthened  in  all  possible 
ways  by  giving  them  encouragement,  and  by  giving  them 
clothes  to  wear,  and  food  to  eat,  and  recruits  to  fill  up  their 
ranks  ;  when  I  find  men  in  that  department  opposing  all 
these  means  of  strengthening  the  soldiers  in  the  army,  I 
will  strike  these  men  in  precisely  the  same  way  that  I 
would  strike  an  enemy  in  arms  against  them. 


228  LIFE   AXD   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

"  It  is  my  duty  to  my  country  and  my  duty  to  my  God 
to  strengthen  these  men,  who  have  daily,  for  years,  endan 
gered  their  lives  in  the  presence  of  the  enemy.  That  is 
all  I  have  to  say  with  reference  to  this  order  which  I 
issued,  and  which  was  rescinded.  I  am,  and  I  hope  to 
continue  to  be,  only  a  subordinate  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  and  he  could  not  possibly  do  anything  that 
would  withdraw  from  him  my  entire  support  in  any  act  he 
may  order  for  the  good  of  his  country,  because  I  believe 
him  to  be  an  honest  and  a  true  man.  That  he  has  made 
mistakes  there*  can  be  no  doubt ;  we  have  all  made  mis 
takes.  But  to  say  that  he  has  made  a  mistake  and  I  have 
not,  would  be  very  silly, —  that  is,  it  would  be  very  insub 
ordinate,  certainly.  I  have  no  disposition  to  say  anything 
more  of  the  matter.  I  entirely  acquiesce  in  all  he  has 
done,  and  I  feel  now,  this  night,  just  as  I  felt  the  moment  I 
issued  that  order  which  was  rescinded.  It  was  issued,  as 
I  thought,  for  the  good  of  the  soldiers  in  the  field,  but  I  feel 
now,  just  as  I  felt  then,  that  the  President  is  doing  all  he 
can  to  sustain  the  government  of  this  country,  to  preserve 
its  liberties  and  establish  peace  throughout  all  its  borders, 
over  every  inch  of  its  territory. 

"  It  will  not  be  improper  to  say  something  to  you  of  the 
appearance  of  the  contest  at  the  present  moment.  I  have 
been  very  much  encouraged  to  know  that  our  cause  is 
right  and  just,  and  for  that  very  reason  it  must  succeed. 
Probably  very  few  of  the  general  officers  in  the  army  have 
seen  more  dark  hours  than  I  have,  but  I  have  never  for  a 
moment  faltered  in  my  faith  in  the  success  of  our  cause, 
because  I  feel  it  is  just.  I  have  every  confidence  that  God 
will  help  us  to  succeed  in  this  cause,  that  He  will  prosper 
us,  and  that  this  country  will  be  preserved  and  made  glo 
rious  in  the  end.  But  I  was  going  to  refer  to  the  present 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 


229 


state  of  affairs.  General  Grant  is,  as  you  know,  at  the 
head  of  all  the  armies.  It  might  seem  superfluous  for  me 
to  attempt  to  give  my  opinion  to  the  people  about  the  mer- 


COLD    HARBOR    BATTLE-GROUNn. 


its  and  success  of  General  Grant,  but  nevertheless  I  will 
do  so.  I  have  known  him  for  a  great  number  of  years. 
General  Grant  possesses  qualities  which  preeminently  fit 
him  for  the  position  he  now  holds.  He  is  distinguished 
for  magnanimity  ;  he  is  one  of  the  most  magnanimous  men 
I  ever  knew  ;  he  is  entirely  unambitious  and  unselfish  ;  he 
is  a  capital  judge  of  men,  and  he  possesses,  in  a  remark 
able  degree,  the  quality  of  good  common  sense.  These 
qualities,  I  think,  will  make  a  pretty  good  general,  partic 
ularly  when  he  has  good  generals  to  deal  with,  because  if 


230 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


he  is  magnanimous  he  will  give  everybody  credit  for  what 
they  have  done,  and  not  seek  to  rob  them  of  the  fame 
which  they  have  honestly  earned.  If  he  is  unambitious, 
he  will  not  seek  to  undermine  innocent  persons  who  may 
seem  to  be  in  the  way ;  and  if  he  has  good  common  sense, 
and  good  judgment,  he  will  keep  each  man  below  «him  to 
that  specific  duty  for  which  he  is  best  fitted  ;  so  that  Gen 
eral  Grant,  who  combines  all  these  qualifications,  is  very 
apt  to  succeed.  And  General  Grant  thus  far  has  been 
successful,  and  the  chances  are  that  he  will  succeed  in  the 
future." 

General  Burnside  left  his  home  at  Providence  on  the 
nth  of  April,  1864,  and  on  his  arrival  at  Annapolis  took 
command  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  then  nearly  twenty-five 
thousand  strong.  He  organized  the  corps  into  four  divi 
sions,  General  Stevenson  commanding  the  first,  General 
Potter  the  second,  General  Willcox  the  third,  and  General 
Ferrero  the  fourth,  which  was  composed  entirely  of  colored 
troops.  Every  preparation  was  made  for  an  active  cam 
paign,  and  the  troops  expected  to  embark  at  Annapolis  for 
South  Carolina,  but  when,  early  on  the  morning  of  the 
22d,  tents  were  struck,  the  line  of  march  was  taken  up  to 
Washington,  and  not  to  the  wharves.  On  the  night  of  the 
24th,  the  troops  encamped  on  the  Baltimore  turnpike,  near 
Bladensburgh,  and  about  six  miles  from  Washington. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  25th,  the  head  of  the  col 
umn  entered  the  city.  President  Lincoln,  with  a  few 
friends,  occupied  a  balcony  at  Willard's  Hotel,  where  he 
received  a  marching  salute  from  the  troops.  It  was  a  de 
lightful  spring  day,  a  shower  having  laid  the  dust,  and  the 
Ninth  Corps  appeared  to  great  advantage.  On  their  tat 
tered  battle-flags  were  inscriptions  of  battles  in  six  states 
in  which  they  had  participated,  and  the  spectators  were 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BUKNSIDE.  231 

alike  struck  by  the  firm  and  soldierly  bearing  of  the  vete 
rans,  and  the  eager  and  expectant  countenances  of  the 
men  composing  the  new  regiments.  The  colored  troops 
appeared  to  great  advantage,  and  President  Lincoln  ac 
knowledged  their  cheers  with  great  respect  and  courtesy. 
Hour  after  hour  the  column,  with  its  long  wagon-train, 
moved  past,  the  spectators  greeting  each  successive  regi 
ment  with  enthusiastic  cheers.  Crossing  Long  Bridge,  the 
corps  went  into  camp  near  Alexandria,  and  it  was  known 
that  the_y  were  thenceforth  to  again  form  a  portion  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  then  under  the  command  of  Gen 
eral  Grant. 

Lieutenant-General  Grant's  plan  of  campaign  was  very 
much  like  that  of  General  Burnside's  when  he  took  com 
mand  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  evidently  pro 
posed  to  make  a  rapid  march  across  the  Rapidan  at  its 
lowest  fords,  and  across  the  Rappahannock  at  the  fords 
above  Falmouth,  seizing  upon  the  roads  leading  from 
Richmond  to  Fredericksburg,  thus  turning  General  Lee's 
fortified  position  and  threatening  his  communication  with 
the  rebel  capital.  The  line  from  the  lower  Rappahannock 
to  Richmond  was  accepted  as  the  most  feasible  for  accom 
plishing  his  object,  and  he  proposed  "to  fight  it  out  on 
that  line,  if  it  took  him  all  summer."  General  Burnside's 
plan  was  almost  identical  with  this,  but  he  had  the  disad 
vantages  of  an  inclement  season,  an  untrained  command, 
and  reluctant,  if  not  insubordinate,  generals. 

On  the  3d  of  May,  1864,  General  Grant  put  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  in  motion  for  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  and 
General  Burnside  was  ordered  to  follow  him  with  the 
Ninth  Corps.  On  the  5th  occurred  the  celebrated  battle 
of  the  Wilderness,  which  raged  for  two  days  on  ground 
chosen  by  General  Lee,  and  unfavorable  for  the  use  of  in- 


232 


LIFE    AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


fantry  or  of  cavalry.  It  was  an  infantry  fight  in  a  dense 
tract  of  woodland,  in  which  the  Confederate  forces  were 
shifted  from  one  side  of  the  field  to  the  other,  and  hurled 
in  masses,  now  on  one  wing  and  now  on  the  other  of  the 
Union  army.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  6th,  General 
Burnside  led  his  corps  into  the  action  near  the  Wilderness 
tavern,  after  they  had  marched  all  night.  Not  following 
the  example  of  Gen.  Fitz  John  Porter  when  he  was  or 
dered  to  reinforce  General  Pope,  General  Burnside  has 
tened  to  the  rescue  and  insured  the  victory. 

The  fight  was  a  desperate  one,  and  General  Lee,  who 
had  for  two  days  dashed  against  the  Northern  troops  some 
of  his  bravest  legions,  was  forced  to  withdraw  on  Satur 
day,  and  to  leave  the  field  and  the  victory.  General  Grant, 
in  his  report  of  the  operations  of  the  campaign,  with  char 
acteristic  justice  declares  that,  "  considering  that  a  large 
proportion  —  probably  two  thirds  —  of  General  Burnside's 
command  was  composed  of  new  troops,  unaccustomed  to 
marches  and  carrying  the  accoutrements  of  a  soldier,  this 
was  a  remarkable  march." 

General  Grant  pushed  the  Confederates  back,  step  by 
step,  closely  supported  at  every  point  by  the  Ninth  Corps, 
which  lost  heavily.  No  less  than  five  thousand  five  hun 
dred  of  its  men  were  disabled  in  the  battles  of  the  Wilder 
ness  and  around  Spottsylvania  Court  House. 

General  Grant  next  moved  towards  the  North  Anna 
River,  and  several  contests  took  place,  followed  by  the 
battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  which  was  fought  on  the  3d  of 
June,  1864.  The  contest  raged  along  the  entire  line  — 
eight  miles  in  length — from  daylight  until  noon.  In  the 
course  of  the  morning  two  divisions  of  Hancock's  corps 
made  a  magnificent  charge  on  an  earth-work  which  was 
the  key  of  the  enemy's  position,  but  they  \vere  driven  out 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 


233 


and  back,  and  were  forced  to  retreat  within  their  own  lines 
under  a  murderous  fire.  The  Ninth  Corps  bore  the  brunt 
of  the  battle  on  the  right,  and  were  on  the  point  of  secur 
ing  a  decided  advantage,  when  General  Burnside  received 
orders  to  cease  all  offensive  operations. 


MAP   OF  THE    BATTLE-FIELD    OF   COLD    IIARBOK. 

At  midnight  on  the  6th,  and  again  on  the  7th,  the  Con 
federates  made  a  severe  attack  upon  the  Ninth  Corps,  but 
on  each  occasion  they  were  bravely  and  promptly  re 
pulsed. 

On  the  night  of  the  i2th  of  June,  1864,  a  flank  move 
ment  was  begun,  and  the  celebrated  change  of  base  af 
fected,  which  placed  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  on  the  south 
side  of  the  James,  in  front  of  Petersburg.  No  campaign 
of  the  war  had  been  so  severe  on  human  endurance  and 
courage  as  this  forty  days'  campaign  under  Lieutenant- 
General  Grant.  The  Ninth  Corps,  which,  during  this 
time,  had  lost  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing  over  seven 
thousand  nine  hundred  men,  had  done  all  that  had  been 
required  of  it  promptly  and  gallantly. 

Whether  General  Grant  could  have  placed  his  army  on 
the  south  side  of  the  James  River  without  the  vast  expen- 


234  LIFE  AND  PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

diture  of  human  life  which  marked  this  campaign,  is  a 
question  which  future  historians,  removed  from  the  per 
sonal  feelings  of  the  present,  will  be  called  upon  to  decide. 
If  General  Lee  exhibited  great  capacity  for  defense,  it 
was  demonstrated  during  this  five  weeks'  campaign  that  he 
had  met  with  more  than  his  match  in  the  tenacity  and  the 
persistency  with  which  General  Grant  pushed  on  his  ag 
gressive  operations. 

General  Lee  was  greatly  aided  (as  has  been  well  re 
marked  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Woodbury)  by  the  peculiar  for 
mation  of  the  portion  of  Virginia  which  was  the  scene  of 
these  military  operations.  There  were  rivers  crossing  the 
lines  of  march  almost  at  right  angles  ;  forests  of  vast  ex 
tent,  which  afforded  concealment  for  the  movements  of  an 
army  on  its  defense  or  retreating  ;  marshes  which  could  be 
used  for  the  protection  of  positions  selected  for  a  stand ; 
hills,  each  one  of  which  could  speedily  be  made  to  become 
a  fort ;  and  all  these  strengthened  by  all  the  appliances  of 
engineering  skill  which  had  leisurely  constructed  defen 
sive  works  in  view  of  just  this  contingency,  or  had  hastily 
thrown  them  up  as  the  emergency  demanded.  But  all 
his  skill,  his  ability,  his  resources,  the  advantages  of  his 
chosen  positions,  the  very  favorable  opportunities  which 
the  natural  features  of  the  country  supplied,  were  of  little 
avail,  except  to  postpone  defeat  for  a  season.  In  the  end 
they  were  compelled  to  give  way  before  the  indomitable 
will,  the  resistless  and  steady  advance,  the  undaunted  spirit, 
the  matchless  persistence  and  energy  of  Lieutenant-Gen- 
eral  Grant  and  his  army. 

The  advance  was  slow,  and  it  has  been  well  said  that 
every  mile  was  marked  with  brave  men's  blood,  yet  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  moved  onward,  and  the  Confederate 
forces  retreated.  Positions  which  could  not  be  successfully 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE.  235 

carried  by  assault  without  a  vast  expenditure  of  human 
life,  were  turned  by  skillful  flank  movements,  which  were 
equivalent  to  battles  won.  In  all  these  operations  the 
Ninth  Corps  participated  so  gallantly  as  to  reflect  the 
highest  honor  upon  all  its  officers  and  men,  and  especially 
upon  its  hopeful  general  and  his  division  commanders. 
When  it  was  said  that  the  Ninth  Corps,  during  those  forty 
days  of  marching  and  fighting,  complied  with  every  de 
mand  upon  human  endurance  and  human  courage,  per 
forming  all  that  was  required  of  it,  and  suffering  commen- 
surately,  the  highest  praise  was  awarded  both  to  the  living 
and  to  the  dead. 

General  Burnside,  always  ready  to  waive  his  rank,  per 
mitted  the  incorporation  of  the  Ninth  Corps  into  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  which  made  him  subordinate  to  General 
Meade.  Well  might  General  Harrison,  a  Senator  of  the 
United  States,  afterwards  say  that  jealousy,  that  bane  of 
military  life,  never  found  harbor  in  Burnside's  heart : 

"There  was  no  room  in  that  -well-lighted  breast  for  this  black  angel. 
As  a  subordinate,  he  never  failed  to  yield  a  quick  and  loyal  obedience  to 
his  superior;  nor  ever  sought  to  justify  his  own  judgment  in  the  council 
by  a  hesitating  support  of  the  plan  of  battle  which  his  superior  had 
chosen.  He  was  a  true  soldier  —  one  who  had  not  only  a  master  but  a 
•  cause,  into  the  fellowship  of  which  he  received  all  who  made  that  cause 
common.  He  might  join  in  the  high  rivalry  of  those  who  would  give 
most  to  this  sacred  cause,  or  win  most  honor  to  the  flag;  but  if  he  might 
not  be  first  to  plant  the  Hag  on  the  enemy's  battlements,  he  would  at  least 
be  found  among  those  who  hailed  with  cheers  both  the  flag  and  the 
victor." 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


THE  SIEGE  OF  PETERSBURG  —  THE  MINE  BENEATH  THE  ENEMY'S 
WORKS  — PLAN  OF  ATTACK— THE  COLORED  TROOPS  COUNTED 
OUT  — THE  ASSAULT— DELAY  IN  THE  EXPLOSION  — A  TERRIBLE 
SCENE  — GENERAL  MEADE  PETULANT  —  RETREAT  OF  THE  NINTH 
CORPS  AFTER  HARD  FIGHTING  — RELIEVED  FROM  DUTY. 

EUTENANT-GENERAL  GRANT,  having  become 
convinced  that  he  could  not  capture  Richmond  by 
a  flank  movement,  determined  to  besiege  the  en 
emy,  who  was  securely  entrenched  before  Petersburg  and 
Richmond.  His  headquarters  was  established  at  City 
Point,  with  the  Army  of  the  James  keeping  his  lines  north 
of  the  James  River,  and  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  those 
on  the  south  bank.  Frequent  assaults  were  made,  both 
from  the  right  and  left.  The  lines  were  gradually  ex 
tended,  and  although  General  Lee  made  several  desperate 
attempts  to  release  himself,  he  soon  found  that  to  move  out 
of  his  entrenchments  at  any  point  was  certain  destruction, 
while  to  stay  and  be  besieged  was  equally  as  certain, 
though  the  process  was  slower  and  longer. 

The  Ninth  Corps  was  in  front  of  Petersburg,  and  from 
day  to  day,  for  six  weeks,  by  the  aid  of  the  shovel  and  the 
pick,  General  Burnside's  lines  were  insidiously  advanced 


GEX.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 


237 


by  zig-zags   and   covered  ways,  until   the  outline  pickets 
of  both  armies  had   scarcely  five   hundred   yards  between 
them.     The  sharp-shooters  on  either  side  were  especially 
vigilant,   and  skir 
mishing  and  artillery 
fire  were  almost   in 
cessant.     It  was  only 
necessary  for  General 
Burnside    to    occupy 
Cemetery  Hill,    to 
place   his  guns  in  a 
position  where  they 
would   command   an 
easy  range  of  the  old 
town  of  Petersburg. 
The  crest  of  this  hill, 
frowning  with  guns, 
was    not    more    than 
eight  hundred  yards 
distant  from  the  ad 
vance  works  of  the  Ninth  Corps,   and  its  gently  sloping 
sides  were  welted  with  long  rows  of  earth-works,  pitted 
with  redoubts  and  redans,  and  ridged  with  serried  salients 
and  curtains,  and  all  the  works  of  defense  known  to  the 
educated  military  engineers. 

The  vital  importance  to  the  Union  Army  of  Cemetery 
Hill  was  evident  to  all,  and  many  schemes  were  advanced 
by  which  it  might  be  made  useless  for  the  enemy's  pur 
pose,  or  made  to  change  hands  altogether  ;  but  to  take  it  by 
direct  assault  must  .necessarily  cost  many  lives,  and  the  at 
tempt  might  not  be  a  success.  It  was  then  that  Lieut. -Col. 
Henry  Pleasants  of  the  Forty-eighth  Pennsylvania  Volun 
teers,  which  was  in  General  Potter's  division  of  the  Ninth 


GEN.    U.    S.    GRANT. 


238 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


Corps,  conceived  the  idea  of  mining  the  enemy's  redoubt 
in  front  of  Cemetery  Hill,  and  blowing  its  contents  into 
the  air.  The  Forty-eighth  Pennsylvania  had  been  re 
cruited  in  the  coal  regions  of  that  State.  Colonel  Pleas- 
ants  was  a  practical  miner,  and  so  were  nearly  all  of  its 
officers  and  men.  They  had  talked  over  the  practica 
bility  of  this  work,  and  they  were  'anxious  to  undertake  it. 
When  the  project  was  laid  before  General  Burnside,  he 
consulted  the  engineer  on  his  staff,  Maj.  J.  C.  Duane, 
who  ridiculed  the  whole  plan  as  impracticable,  and  even 
impossible  of  execution.  General  Burnside  was  of  a  dif 
ferent  opinion,  and,  laying  the  project  before  General 
Meade,  who  was  at  that  time  his  commanding  officer,  he 
received  authority  to  go  on  with  the  work. 

Colonel  Pleasants  and  his  men  commenced  work  on  the 
25th  of  June,  under  great  disadvantages.  No  officer  of 
rank,  except  -Generals  Burnside  and  Potter,  gave  them 
any  encouragement.  The  miners  were  obliged  to  carry 
out  the  earth  in  bread-boxes,  and  to  cut  down  bushes  and 
strew  over  the  excavated  material  to  prevent  the  suspicions 
of  the  enemy.  They  were  not  even  allowed  the  use  of 
a  theodolite  at  General  Meade's  headquarters,  for  their 
measurements,  and  they  were  obliged  to  send  to  Wash 
ington  for  an  instrument.  The  roof  of  the  mine  was 
propped  up  by  old  lumber,  picked  up  about  the  camp, 
and  the  ventilation  improvised  for  the  occasion  was  im 
perfect.  Notwithstanding  these  disadvantages,  eighteen 
thousand  cubic  feet  of  earth  was  removed,  and  on  the  23d 
of  July,  a  subterranean  gallery  five  hundred  and  ten  feet 
long,  with  two  lateral  galleries,  one  thirty-seven  feet  long 
and  the  other  thirty-eight  feet,  with  eight  magazines,  had 
been  constructed.  Four  magazines  were  placed  in  each 
lateral  gallery  made  beneath  the  enemy's  earth-work.  It 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.   BURNS  IDE.  230 

was  supposed  at  one  time  that  the  Confederates  suspected 
the  existence  of  the  mine,  but  after  listening  intently,  it 
was  ascertained  that  the  troops  who  occupied  the  redoubt 
were  engaged  in  the  ordinary  drill  and  fatigue  duty,  little 
imagining  what  was  going  on  immediately  under  their 
feet. 

Lieutenant-General  Grant  had  meanwhile  been  anxious 
to  make  an  assault  upon  the  Confederate  works,  and  had 
requested  the  views  of  General  Meade  upon  the  chances 
of  success.  General  Meade,  in  turn,  had  asked  the  advice 
of  his  corps  commanders.  General  Burnside,  on  the  3d  of 
July,  replied  that  he  thought  it  best  to  wait  until  the  mine 
was  completed,  unless  it  was  the  question  of  changing  the 
plan  of  operations,  in  which  case  he  was  in  favor  of  an 
immediate  assault ;  then  he  added,  "  If  an  assault  be  made 
now,  I  think  we  have  a  fair  chance  of  success,  provided 
my  corps  can  make  the  attack,  and  it  is  left  for  me  to  say 
when  and  how  the  other  two  corps  shall  come  to  my  sup 
port."  General  Meade  took  offence  at  this  remark,  as  a 
reflection,  on  the  part  of  General  Burnside,  upon  his  skill 
as  the  commanding  general  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 
In  his  reply,  dated  on  the  4th  of  July,  General  Meade  de 
clared  that  in  all  offensive  operations  he  should  "  exercise 
the  prerogative  of"  his  "  position,  to  control  and  direct 
the  same,"  and  intimated  that  the  "  acceding"  on  his  part 
to  General  Burnside's  conditions  "  would  not  be  consis 
tent  with"  his  "position  of  commanding  general  of  the 
army/'  General  Burnside  immediately  sent  his  dis 
claimer  of  any  wish  to  assume  the  prerogative  which  did 
not  belong  to  him,  and  which  had  only  existed  in  the  sus 
picious  imagination  of  General  Meade.  The  correspond 
ence  closed,  but  it  was  never  forgotten  by  the  commander 

o  */ 

of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  it  was  the  first  step  in  the 


2AO  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

combination  of  unfortunate  circumstances  which  changed 
the  anticipated  victory  into  a  gloomy  and  deplorable  defeat. 

One  division  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  commanded  by  Gen 
eral  Ferrero,  was  composed  entirely  of  colored  men — a 
large  proportion  of  them  emancipated  slaves.  Not  having 
participated  in  the  previous  campaign,  they  were  compara 
tively  fresh,  and  they  desired  to  take  a  conspicuous  part  in 
the  coming  conflict.  It  was  the  wish  of  General  Burnside 
to  make  them  his  assaulting  column  at  the  explosion  of  the 
mine,  and  they  were  drilled  on  a  similarly  situated  piece 
of  ground  in  the  rear  of  the  Union  lines,  for  the  particular 
service  which  was  expected  of  them. 

The  mine  was  at  last  finished.  Eight  thousand  pounds 
of  powder  were  placed  in  the  eight  magazines,  and  three 
fuses  were  laid.  General  Burnside's  original  plan  had 
provided  for  six  fuses  and  two  electric  wires,  to  insure  the 
explosion  of  the  mine  beyond  question  without  delay,  but 
no  wires  at  all  were  furnished,  and  the  fuse  was  in  pieces, 
with  no  material  for  splicing  the  ends  together  but  some 
old  blankets.  It  seemed  to  ordinary  observers  as  though 
General  Meade  had  determined  that  the  enterprise  should 
fail,  and  that  the  adverse  opinion  which  had  been  given 
at  the  outset  should  thus  have  its  justification.  Col 
onel  Pleasants  persevered,  however,  and  at  last  reported 
the  mine  ready  for  explosion.  Then  General  Meade  ap 
peared  to  have  received  a  new  inspiration,  for  he  acknowl 
edged  that  he  "  had  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  explo 
sion  of  the  mine  and  the  subsequent  assault  on  the  crest 
would  be  successful,  and  would  be  followed  by  results 
which  would  have  consisted  in  the  capture  of  the  whole  of 
the  enemy's  artillery  and  the  greater  part  of  his  infantry." 

On  the  26th  of  July,  General  Burnside  submitted  to 
General  Meade  a  carefully  prepared  plan  of  attack.  He 


GEN.    AM/iJfOSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 


24r 


proposed   to  explode  the  mine  just  before   daylight  in  the 

morning,  or  about  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.     Then  he 

would  send  in  General  Ferrero's  division  of  colored  troops 

in  two  columns  to  attack  ;  the  leading  regiments  of  each 

to    deploy   into    line,    as 

soon  as  they  had  passed 

through  the  breach  made 

by  the  explosion.     Each 

column    to    then    wheel 

outward   and  sweep  the 

enemy's    line    right   and 

left,    thus   attacking  the 

Confederates     on     each 

flank.      Meanwhile     the     | 

other  three   divisions   of     \ 

white  troops  in  the  Ninth 

Corps  would  follow,  and 

complete    the    work    by 

occupying     Cemetery 

Hill    and    compelling  the   enemy  to   evacuate   his  line  of 

works. 

General  Meade,  who  possessed  a  prejudice  against  the 
colored  race,  resulting  from  his  having  known  it  while  in  a 
servile  condition,  was  not  willing  that  General  Ferrero's 

O 

corps  should  lead  the  assault.  He  insisted  that  a  division 
of  white  troops  must  attack,  and  instead  of  sweeping  the 
enemy's  lines  right  and  left,  should  "rush  for  the  crest." 
It  was  evident  from  the  persistence  with  which  he  opposed 
the  adoption  of  General  Burnside's  plan,  that  General  Meade 
cherished  a  belief  that  "  acceding"  to  it  might  not  be  "  con 
sistent  with  his  position  as  commanding  general "  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  After  considerable  discussion, 
however,  he  referred  the  case  to  the  decision  of  General 

16 


GEN.    GEORGE    G.    MEADE. 


242  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

Grant,  who  had  no  personal  knowledge  of  the  subject, 
and  could  only  base  his  opinion  on  the  statement  of  Gen 
eral  Meade.  The  decision  was  adverse,  as  might  have 
been  expected  : 

IlEADqUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC,  ") 

.  10.15  A.  M.,  July  29,  1864.  j 

Major-General  Burnside,  commanding  Ninth  Corps,  : 

I  am  instructed  to  say  that  the  major-general  commanding  submitted 
to  the  Lieutenant-General  commanding  the  Armies,  your  proposition  to 
form  the  leading  columns  of  assault  of  the  black  troops,  and  that  he,  as 
well  as  the  major-general  commanding,  does  not  approve  the  proposi 
tion,  but  directs  that  these  columns  be  formed  of  the  white  troops. 

A.  A.   HUMPHREYS, 

Major-  General,  Chief  of  Stajf. 
S.   WlLLiA.vs,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

The  colored  troops  were  not  permitted  to  lead  the  as 
sault,  and  the  whole  plan  of  attack  was  changed.  At 
noon,  on  the  2pth  of  July,  General  Meade  gave  General 
Burnside  his  orders  for  the  next  day.  The  assault  was  to 
be  made  by  General  Burnside,  whose  three  divisions  of 
white  troops  were  to  make  for  the  summit  of  Cemetery  Hill, 
and  occupy  it.  The  other  troops  were  to  support  the  attack. 
General  Burnside  was  grievously  disappointed,  but  he 
accepted  the  situation,  complied  strictly  with  General 
Meade's  instructions,  and  issued  his  orders  exactly  in  ac 
cordance  with  those  of  the  "Commanding  General." 
That  night  a  large  train  of  empty  wagons  was  kept  m 
motion,  and  the  enemy  was  induced  to  believe  that-  the 
movement  upon  Richmond  had  been  commenced.  The 
short  summer  night  passed  anxiously  away,  and  soon  after 
two  o'clock  en  the  morning  of  Saturday,  July  30,  1864, 
General  Burnside  left  his  headquarters,  and  reported  to 
what  was  known  as  the  "  Fourteen  Gun  Battery,"  directly 


GK.Y.  .i.i/jtA'osj-:  A-.  BUJINSIDE.  243 

opposite  the  mine,  to  personally  direct  the  operations  of  the 
Ninth  Corps.  (ieneral  Meade  soon  alter  occupied  the 
spot  which  General  Burns! de  had  just  vacated, —  a  shady 
grove  nearh'  a  mile  in  the  rear, — where  he  was  soon 
joined  by  General  Grant.  Telegraphic  communication 
was  established  between  General  Meade  and  General 
Burnside. 

The  time  fixed  tor  the  assault  was  half-past  three  o'clock, 
when,  as  there  was  no  moon,  the  darkness  would  shut  out 
from  the  enemy  the  stir  and  bustle  of  the  Union  troops  as 
they  got  into  position.  Hut  here  the  lirst  misfortune  of  the 
day  occurred.  The  army  stood  in  suspense  and  silent 
patience,  waiting  for  the  explosion.  But  there  was  none. 
The  fuse  had  gone  out.  The  powder  had  become  damp 
where  the  splices  had  been  made.  At  quarter-past  four 
o'clock  two  brave  men — Lieut.  Jacob  Douty  and  Sergeant 
(afterwards  Lieutenant)  Henry  Rees,  of  the  Forty-eighth 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers  —  volunteered  to  go  into  the 
mine  and  ascertain  where  the  fuses  had  failed,  put  them 
in  order,  and  light  them.  They  performed  their  dangerous 
duty  with  coolness  and  bravery.  The  fuses  were  re-lighted, 
and  at  sixteen  minutes  before  live  o'clock  the  mine  was 
exploded. 

The  scene  that  ensued  beggars  description.  For  seve 
ral  seconds  the  ground  swayed  and  quaked,  then  the  earth 
was  rent  and  a  terrific  sound  burst  upon  the  morning  air. 
The  immense  mass  of  dull  earth  was  thrown  high  in  air, 
and  those  who  were  near  the  spot  say  that  the  clods  of 
earth  were  mingled  with  cannon,  caissons,  camp-equip 
age,  and  human  bodies,  all  shooting  out  in  that  fountain 
of  horror,  to  fall  into  shapeless  and  pulveri/ed  atoms  ; 
where  there  had  been  a  formidable  earth-work,  with  its 
guns  and  men,  now  yawned  a  great  crater  two  hundred 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

feet  long,  fifty  feet  wide,  and  twenty-five  feet  deep.  In 
it  were  the  bodies  of  the  dead,  crushed  and  mangled  out 
of  all  resemblance  to  humanity,  writhing  forms  partly 
buried,  arms  protruding  here  and  legs  struggling  there, 
while  with  this  chaos  of  mutilated  humanity  were  frag 
ments  of  weapons  and  munitions  of  war.  Meanwhile 
the  heavy  guns  and  field  artillery  of  the  Army  of  the  Poto 
mac  simultaneously  opened  fire. 

The  Fourteenth  New  York  heavy  artillery  led  the 
assaulting  column,  descended  into  the  crater,  and  endeav 
ored  to  pass  through  it,  dash  forward  and  storm  the 
crest  of  the  hill.  They  had  nearly  gained  the  summit, 
subject  all  the1  time  to  the  severe  fire  of  shot  and  shell, 
when  they  faltered  and  were  compelled  to  fall  back  to  the 
partial  protection  of  the  crater,  leaving  the  ground  thickly 
strewn  with  the  dying  and  the  dead. 

General  Meade,  from  his  headquarters  in  the  grove, 
back  in  the  rear,  where  he  could  hear  the  roar  of  battle 
but  could  not  see  what  was  going  on,  ordered  General 
Burnside  to  "push  forward"  his  "men  at  all  hazards, 
white  and  black,"  and  to  have  them  "  rush  for  the  crest." 
General  Ferrero  was  at  once  ordered  in,  and  the  colored 
troops  charged  gallantly,  capturing  and  sending  to  the 
rear  a  stand  of  colors.  Then  one  regiment,  the  Thirty- 
ninth  Maryland,  became  panic-stricken  and  broke  through 
to  the  rear.  Their  officers  urged,  then  entreated,  then 
threatened,  but  failed  to  rally  them,  and  the  mass,  broken 
and  shattered,  swept  back  like  a  torrent  into  the  crater, 
which  was  all  choked  with  white  troops. 

Again  did  two  divisions  of  the  Ninth  Corps  advance  up 
the  hill,  but  all  this  time  no  attempt  was  made  to  relieve 
them  by  the  other  corps,  which  it  was  expected  would 
support  them. 


.e 

PETERSBURG. 


THE   SCENE    OF   OPERATIONS   AROUND    PETERSBURG 


246  LIFE  AND  PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

At  twenty  minutes  after  seven  o'clock,  General  Burn- 
side  telegraphed  to  General  Meade  :  "I  am  doing  all  in 
my  power  to  push  the  troops  forward,  and  if  possible  we 
will  carry  the  crest.  It  is  hard  work,  but  we  hope  to 
accomplish  it." 

Ten  minutes  later,  General  Meade  sent  the  following 
written  answer : 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC, 

7.30  A.  M.,  July  30,  1864. 
Major-  General  Burnside : 

What  do  you  mean  by  hard  work  to  take  the  crest?  I  understand  not 
a  man  has  advanced  beyond  the  enemy's  line  which  you  occupied  imme 
diately  after  exploding  the  mine. 

Do  you  mean  to  say  your  officers  and  men  will  not  obey  your  orders  to 
advance?  If  not,  what  is  the  obstacle?  I  wish  to  know  the  truth,  and 
desire  an  immediate  answer. 

GEO.  G.  MEADE, 

Major-  General. 

The  general  promptly  replied  to  this  ill-natured  effusion 
as  follows  : 

HEADQUARTERS  NINTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

BATTERY  MORTON,  July  30,  1864. 
General  Meade  : 

Your  dispatch,  by  Captain  Jay,  received.  The  main  body  of  General 
Potter's  division  is  beyond  the  crater.  I  do  not  mean  to  say  that  my 
officers  and  men  will  not  obey  my  orders  to  advance.  I  mean  to  say  that 
it  is  very  hard  work  to  advance  to  the  crest. 

1  have  never,  in  any  report,  said  anything  different  from  what  I  con 
ceived  to  be  the  truth.     Were  it  not  insubordinate,  I  would  say  that  the 
latter  remark  of  your  note  was  unofficerlike  and  ungentlemanly. 
Respectfully  yours, 

A.  E.  BURNSIDE, 

Major-  General. 

At  eight  o'clock,  General  Burnside  —  whose  corps  occu 
pied  the  advance  lines  of  the  enemy's  works,  had  seized 
four  stands  of  colors,  and  had  planted  the  stars  and 


°'>.v 

VHOUHVJD 

PETERSBURG. 


THE    SCENE    OF    OPERATIONS    AROUND    PETERSBURG 


2A.6  LIFE   AND  PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

At  twenty  minutes  after  seven  o'clock,  General  Burn- 
side  telegraphed  to  General  Meade  :  "I  am  doing  all  in 
my  power  to  push  the  troops  forward,  and  if  possible  we 
will  carry  the  crest.  It  is  hard  work,  but  we  hope  to 
accomplish  it." 

Ten  minutes  later,  General  Meade  sent  the  following 
written  answer : 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC, 
7.30  A.  M.  ,  July  30,  1864. 

Major-General  Burnside  : 

What  do  you  mean  by  hard  work  to  take  the  crest?  I  understand  not 
a  man  has  advanced  beyond  the  enemy's  line  which  you  occupied  imme 
diately  after  exploding  the  mine. 

Do  you  mean  to  say  your  officers  and  men  will  not  obey  your  orders  to 
advance?  If  not,  what  is  the  obstacle?  I  wish  to  know  the  truth,  and 
desire  an  immediate  answer. 

GEO.  G.  MEADE, 

Major-  General. 

The  general  promptly  replied  to  this  ill-natured  effusion 
as  follows  : 

HEADQUARTERS  NINTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

BATTERY  MORTON,  July  30,  1864. 
General  Meade  : 

Your  dispatch,  by  Captain  Jay,  received.  The  main  body  of  General 
Potter's  division  is  beyond  the  crater.  I  do  not  mean  to  say  that  my 
officers  and  men  will  not  obey  my  orders  to  advance.  I  mean  to  say  that 
it  is  very  hard  work  to  advance  to  the  crest. 

1  have  never,  in  any  report,  said  anything  different  from  what  I  con 
ceived  to  be  the  truth.      Were  it  not  insubordinate,  I  would  say  that  the 
latter  remark  of  your  note  was  unofficerlike  and  ungentlemanly. 
Respectfully  yours, 

A.  E.   BURNSIDE, 

Majo  r- General. 

At  eight  o'clock,  General  Burnside  —  whose  corps  occu 
pied  the  advance  lines  of  the  enemy's  works,  had  seized 
four  stands  of  colors,  and  had  planted  the  stars  and 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

stripes  high  up  on  Cemetery  Hill — asked  that  the  Fifth 
Corps,  commanded  by  General  Warren,  might  be  ordered 
to  attack,  that  a  diversion  might" be  made.  The  request 
was  refused,  and  at  half-past  nine  o'clock  General  Meade 
telegraphed  to  Generals  Burnside,  Warren,  and  Ord  to 
withdraw  their  respective  commands  to  their  camps.  Fif 
teen  minutes  later  the  order  was  peremptorily  repeated  to 
General  Burnside.  The  Ninth  Corps  had  seen  the  troops 
from  which  they  expected  support  marched  oft'  in  sight  of 
the  enemy,  leaving  them  in  the  crater,  and  General  Burn- 
side,  who  had  not  been  allowed  to  exercise  the  slightest 
discretion  in  moving  or  fighting  his  command,  was  left  to 
withdraw  them  as  best  he  could.  The  intervening  space 
between  the  crater  and  the  Union  lines  was  swept  by  the 
enemy's  guns,  but  General  Meade  was  impatient  and  im 
perative,  and  the  Ninth  Corps  suffered  greatly  as  they 
withdrew,  defeated  but  not  disheartened.  General  Burn- 
side,  sorrow-stricken  by  the  contemplation  of  this  lament 
able  result  of  his  well-laid  plan,  retired  to  his  quarters  at 
two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  The  losses  of  this  bloody 
day  amounted  to  about  five  thousand  in  killed,  wounded, 
and  missing,  nine-tenths  of  which  fell  upon  the  Ninth 
Corps,  and  were  largely  incurred  during  the  withdrawal 
from  the  crater.  Neither  the  Second  nor  the  Fifth  Corps 
lost  fifty  men  all  told.  General  Meade  at  once  undertook 
to  try  General  Burnside  by  court-martial,  and  prepared 
elaborate  charges  and  specifications,  but  they  were  disap 
proved  by  General  Grant.  President  Lincoln,  at  General 
Burnside's  request,  ordered  a  court  of  inquiry  "to  examine 
into  and  report  the  facts"  attendant  upon  the  assault  of  July 
30.  General  Burnside  was  relieved  from  the  command  of 
the  Ninth  Corps  on  the  I3th  of  August,  and  immediately 
left  for  his  home  at  Providence.  Before  leaving  he  ten- 


2*8  GEX.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE. 

dered    his    resignation,  which    Lieutenant-General    Grant 
refused  to  receive. 

Reaching  Providence  on  the  morning  of  August  16, 
General  Burnside  met  the  warm  and  hearty  welcome  that 
he  had  so  often  received  in  Rhode  Island,  and  that  he 
always  deserved.  His  fellow-citizens  had  watched  his 
course  of  skillful  and  gallant  service,  and  they  felt  confi 
dent  that  when  all  the  facts  were  known,  he  would  come 
out  of  the  investigation,  as  he  had  come  out  of  every  other 
test,  with  uncliminished  claims  upon  the  confidence  and 
admiration  of  the  country. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


POPULAR  DISAPPOINTMENT  OVER  THE  RESULT  AT  PETERSBURG— 
A  COURT-MARTIAL  ASKED  FOR  BY  GENERAL  MEADE  —  A  COURT 
OF  INQUIRY  ORDERED  —  TESTIMONY  —  FINDINGS  OF  THE  COURT 
—  REVIEW  OF  THEM  — RETURN'  TO  PROVIDENCE  —  VISITS  THE 
WHITE  MOUNTAINS  — SPEECH  AT  THE  CENTENNIAL  OF  BROWN 
UNIVERSITY. 

THE  disastrous  result  of  the  assault  of  July  30, 
1864,  after  the  explosion  of  the  mine  beneath  the 
enemy's  works  before  Petersburg,  discouraged 
the  public  mind  in  the  Northern  states  more  than  any 
previous  defeat  of  the  war,  with  the  exception,  perhaps,  of 
the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run.  The  determination,  on  the 
part  of  those  who  opposed  the  emancipation  of  the  slaves, 
to  disparage  the  employment  of  negro  troops,  led  them  to 
sharply  criticise  General  Burnside,  and  to  select  him  as 
a  scape-goat  of  the  failure.  Others  joined  in  the  attack, 
forgetting  his  brave  service  in  North  Carolina  and  East 
Tennessee;  forgetting  the  developments  in  regard  to  the 
assault  at  Fredericksburg, —  which  certainly  did  not  leave 
him  culpable,  —  and  forgetting  the  history  of  the  intrigues 
in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  in  the  midst  of  which  the  one 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

thing  steadily  clear  was  the  character  of  Burnside.  The 
disappointment  of  the  mine  betrayed  the  loyal  North  into 
an  injustice,  and  the  general  was  most  sharply  and  im 
patiently  condemned.  Those  who  knew  him  (to  quote 
the  words  of  George  William  Curtis),  bided  their  time. 
Those  who  knew  his  good  sense,  his  soldierly  character, 
his  brave  integrity,  and  who  remembered  his  service, 
were  very  sure  it  would  at  last  appear  that,  however 
severe  and  deplorable  the  misfortune,  it  could  not  be  justly 
charged  upon  his  sheer  incapacity,  or  that  the  hero  of 
Newbern  and  Knoxville  had  suddenly  become  a  "blun 
derer  and  a  butcher."  As  for  the  general,  he  was  no  more 
daunted  by  calumny  than  by  canister,  and  stood  as  firm 
and  calm  amidst  the  peltings  of  popular  misrepresentation, 
as  in  the  storm  of  shot  and  shell.  "Some  of  us  must  lose 
our  lives  in  this  war,"  said  he,  "  and  some  of  us  our  repu 
tations,  perhaps,  and  a  few  must  lose  both  ;"  and  when  he 
was  urged  to  publish  some  explanation  of  the  circum 
stances,  he  replied  smilingly,  "when  the  war  is  over  there 
will  be  plenty  of  time  to  clean  damaged  reputations." 

General  Meade  was  the  foremost  among  those  who 
censured  General  Burnside.  On  the  fourth  day  after  the 
disaster  he  requested  Lieutenant-General  Grant  to  relieve 
General  Burnside  from  further  duty  with  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  He  also  preferred  charges  against  him,  wishing 
to  try  him  by  court-martial.  These  charges  were  for 
"disobedience  of  orders,"  and  "conduct  prejudicial  to 
good  order  and  military  discipline."  The  specifications  of 
the  first  charge  were,  for  failure  in  communicating  infor 
mation,  and  neglect  in  relieving  the  Eighteenth  Corps. 
That  of  the  second  was  for  addressing  to  General  Meade 
a  dispatch  intimating  that  one  of  his  orders  was  unofficer- 
like  and  ungentlemanly  in  tone.  General  Grant'consid- 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

ered  these  charges  frivolous,  and  refused  to  order  a  court- 
marshal,  or  to  relieve  General  Burnside  from  duty. 

General  Meade,  however,  was  not  disposed  to  allow  the 
matter  to  rest,  and  ordered  a  court  of  inquiry  to  investi 
gate  the  mine  and  subsequent  assault.  This  court  was 
composed  of  General  Hancock,  who  commanded  the  Sec 
ond  Corps,  General  Ayres,  who  commanded  a  division  of 
the  Fifth  Corps,  and  General  Miles  who  commanded  a 
brigade  of  the  Second  Corps,1 — all  officers  in  the  support 
ing  corps  on  the  day  of  battle.  Colonel  Schriver,  in 
spector-general  at  General  Meade's  headquarters,  was 
the  judge-advocate  of  the  court,  which  decided  when  it 
first  met  that  it  could  not  proceed  without  the  authority  of 
the  President  of  the  United  States.  General  Meade  then 
obtained  the  legalization  of  the  court  by  the  President, 
and  it  commenced  its  sittings  in  camp  on  the  6th  of  August. 

General  Burnside  made  a  formal  protest  to  the  Secre 
tary  of  War  against  the  constitution  of  the  court,  on  the 
ground  that  the  officers  composing  it  had  commands  in 
the  supporting  columns,  which  were  not  brought  into  action 
on  the  3oth  of  July,  and  that  the  judge-advocate  was  a 
member  of  General  Meade's  staff,  and  felt  that  he  had  a 
right  to  ask  that  if  an  investigation  were  made  it  should  be 
by  officers  who  did  not  belong  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
and  who  were  not  selected  by  General  Meade.  He  did 
not  shrink  from  an  investigation,  but  desired  that  it  should 
be  removed  from  even  the  suspicion  of  partiality.  Secre 
tary  Stanton  did  not  perceive  the  force  of  the  objection, 
and  assured  General  Burnside  that  he  might  feel  entire 
confidence  in  the  fairness  and  justice  of  the  President  in 
reviewing  the  case.  "The  action  of  the  board  of  in 
quiry,"  said  Mr.  Stanton,  "will  be  merely  to  collect  facts 
for  the  PVesident's  information." 


252 


LIFE   AXD   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


The  court  was  in  session  seventeen  days,  during  which 
time  all  the  principal  officers  connected  with  the  assault 
were  examined.  General  Burnside  nave  a  detailed  account 

O 

of  the  whole  affair,  dwelling  especially  on  his  regret  at  the 
over-ruling  of  that  part  of  his  plan  which  contemplated 
putting  in  the  colored  troops.  He  went  on  to  say  :  "I 
am  under  the  impression  that  I  broached  the  subject  my 
self,  as  to  the  colored  division  taking  the  advance,  but 
whether  I  did  or  not,  he  (General  Meade)  informed  me 
that  General  Grant  coincided  with  him  in  opinion,  and  it 
was  decided  that  I  could  not  put  that  division  in  advance. 
I  felt,  and  I  suppose  I  expressed,  and  showed,  very  great 
disappointment  at  this  announcement;  and  finally,  in  the 
conversation  which  occurred,  and  to  which  there  are  two 
witnesses  here  present,  I  asked  General  Meade  if  that  de 
cision  could  not  be  changed.  He  said,  'No,  General,  it 
cannot ;  it  is  final,  and  you  must  put  in  your  white  troops.' 
No  doubt  in  the  conversation  I  gave  some  of  the  reasons 
for  not  wishing  to  put  the  white  troops  in  that  I  had  given 
at  his  headquarters,  but  of  that  I  am  not  certain." 

The  court,  on  the  seventeenth  day,  delivered  an  elaborate 
"finding."  After  stating  the  causes  of  failure,  and  the 
reasons  why  the  attack  ought  to  Have  been  successful,  they 
gave  the  names  of  five  officers  who  appeared,  in  their  opin 
ion,  to  be  "answerable  for  the  want  of  success."  The 
first  of  these  officers  was  Major-General  Burnside,  who 
was  answerable  because  he  had  failed  to  obey  the  orders 
of  the  commanding  general,  viz.  : 

1.  In  not  giving  such   formation  to  his  assaulting  column  as  to  insure 
a  reasonable  prospect  of  success. 

2.  In  not  preparing  his  parapets  and  abatis  for  the  passage  of  the  col 
umns  of  assault. 

3.  In  not  employing  engineer  officers,  who  reported  to  him,  to  lead  the 
assaulting  columns  with  working  parties,  and  not  causing  to  be  provided 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE.  2^1 

**  o  o 

proper  materials   necessary  for  crowning  the   crest  when  the  assaulting 
columns  should  arrive  there. 

4.  In  neglecting  to  execute  Major-General  Meade's  orders,  respecting 
the  prompt  advance  of  General  Ledlie's  troops  from  the  crater  to  the 
cres-t:  or,  in  default  of  accomplishing  that,  not  causing  those  troops  to 
fall  hack  and  give  place  to  other  troops  more  -willing  and  equal  to  the 
task,  instead  of  delaving  until  the  opportunity  passed  awav,  thus  afford 
ing  time  for  the  enemy  to  recover  from  his  surprise,  concentrate  his  fire, 
and  bring  his  troops  to  operate  against  the  Union  troops  assembled  use- 
lesslv  in  the  crater. 

The  court  added:  "Notwithstanding  the  failure  to  com 
ply  with  orders  and  to  apply  proper  military  principles 
ascribed  to  General  Burnside,  the  Court  is  satisfied  and 
believe  that  the  measures  taken  by  him  would  insure  suc 
cess/' 

The  testimony  upon  which  the  court  based  its  opinion 
does  not  justify  the  finding.  General  Burnside  was  shown 
to  have  manifested  a  desire  to  execute  the  orders  of  Gen 
eral  Meade,  and  his  battle-order  to  his  division  officers, 
through  whom  alone  it  could  be  executed,  was  as  clear  as 
General  Meade's  order  to  him.  The  formation  of  his 
column  of  assault  must  have  been  determined  by  the  offi 
cers  having  the  immediate  direction  of  the  attack,  and  was 
answerable  in  this  by  the  condition  of  the  ground.  Indeed, 
the  formation  was  not  altogether  by  the  flank  ;  for  Gen 
eral  Hartranft  testified  that  "he  formed  his  command, 
which  was  immediately  in  the  rear  of  the  first  division,  in 
two  regiments  front." 

The  second  point  made  by  the  court  against  General 
Burnside,  in  not  having  made  preparation  for  the  passage 
of  the  assault  columns,  is  not  sustained  by  the  evidence. 
There  was  no  necessity  for  the  leveling  of  the  parapets, 
and  the  abatis  was  so  much  cut  up  by  the  enemy's  fire  as 
to  offer  little  obstruction  to  the  advance.  General  Willcox 
stated  that  what  was  left  of  it  when  his  division  passed 


254 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


over  was  no  obstacle  whatever.  Captain  Farquhar,  the 
chief  engineer  of  the  Eighteenth  Corps,  testified  that 
"  there  seemed  to  be  room  enough  at"  his  "  salient  to  pass 
over  certainly  in  regimental  front,"  but  the  passage  was 
not  practicable  for  artillery  ;  moreover,  more  troops  passed 
out  of  the  lines  than  could  be  well  handled  upon  the 
ground  they  occupied. 

The  third  point  made  by  the  court  against  General 
Burnside,  for  "  not  causing  to  be  provided  the  necessary 
materials  for  crowning  the  crest,"  is  utterly  at  variance 
with  the  testimony.  General  Burnside  testified  that  an 
engineer  regiment  was  detailed  for  the  advance  of  his 
corps,  fully  equipped  with  the  necessary  tools  for  en 
trenching.  General  Potter  testified  that  his  regiment  of 
engineers  was  immediately  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
breast-works,  prepared,  with  spades  and  pick-axes,  to  level 
the  works  for  the  passage  of  field  batteries,  in  case  the 
forward  command  was  not  successful,  and  that  axes  were 
provided  with  which  the  chevaux-dc-frise  on  the  enemy's 
line  for  two  or  three  hundred  yards  was  broken  down. 
General  Griffin  testified  that  he  had  under  his  command  a 
pioneer  corps  equipped  with  the  necessary  implements  and 
tools.  Major  Randall  testified  that  he  saw  the  Twenty- 
fifth  Massachusetts  near  the  crater,  equipped  with  shovels 
and  spades. 

Two  officers  of  the  corps  of  engineers,  who  had  been 
sent  from  the  headquarters  of  General  Meade  but  who 
were  not  employed  by  him,  were  ignorant  concerning  the 
employment  of  working  troops  ;  but  their  vague  statements 
should  not  have  been  permitted  by  the  court  to  outweigh 
the  positive  testimony  above  mentioned. 

The  fourth  point  by  the  court  made  against  General 
Burnside,  that  he  had  not  pushed  forward  General  Ledlie's 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS1DE.  255 

division  from  the  crater  to  the  crest  of  the  hill,  was  not 
supported  by  any  testimony.  On  the  contrary,  Sergeant 
Chubb  testified  that  General  Lecllie  received  orders  in  his 
hearing  "to  move  his  troops  forward  from  where  they 
were  then  lying,"  and  that  General  Ledlie  "  frequently  sent 
his  aides-de-camp  to  have  them  move  forward."  The 
court,  in  censuring  General  Ledlie,  based  its  condemna 
tion  of  that  officer  upon  his  neglect  to  report  the  condition 
of  affairs  to  his  commander.  Thus  General  Burnside  was 
censured  for  not  sending  General  Ledlie's  troops  forward, 
and  General  Ledlie  was  censured  for  failing  to  give  the 
information  upon  which  General  Burnside  was  expected  to 
act.  General  Burnside  was  answerable  for  the  failure,  be 
cause  he  did  not  withdraw  General  Ledlie's  troops  in 
order  to  give  place  to  others,  but  it  was  manifestly  im 
possible  to  withdraw  the  troops  while  General  Meade  was 
continually  ordering  them  forward. 

The  court  also  held  "  answerable  for  the  want  of  suc 
cess,  General  Ledlie,  General  Ferrero,  Colonel  Bliss,  and 
General  Willcox."  A  paragraph  was  added  to  express  the 
opinion  of  the  court,  that  "  explicit  orders  should  have 
been  given,  assigning  one  officer  to  the  command  of  all 
the  troops  intended  to  engage  in  the  assault,  when  the 
commanding  general  was  not  present  in  person  to  witness 
the  operations." 

General  Burnside,  it  will  be  remembered,  was  not  per 
mitted  to  exercise  the  "  prerogative"  of  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  army,  and  he  had  been  sharply  rebuked  upon 
the  mere  suspicion  that  he  had  any  design  to  do  so.  Gen 
eral  Meade  consequently  fought  the  battle  by  telegraph, 
all  the  while,  to  use  his  own  words,  ''groping  in  the  dark." 
He  positively  refused  to  go  forward  when  General  Warren 
suggested  to  him  that  it  would  be  well  to  be  where  he 


256  LIFE   AXD   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

could  see  and  know  what  was  doing  in  front.  Lieutenant- 
General  Grant  had  behaved  very  differently,  having  gone 
to  the  front  to  reconnoiter  in  person. 

General  Burnside  having  delivered  his  testimony  before 
the  court  of  inquiry,  left  for  Providence,  where,  as  has 
already  been  stated,  he  was  heartily  welcome.  His  health 
having  suffered,  he  made  a  visit  to  the  White  Mountains, 
where,  when  called  upon  to  address  admiring  crowds,  he 
took  a  cheerful  and  hopeful  view  of  the  present  aspect, 
declaring  his  confidence  in  the  ability  of  the  government 
to  crush  out  the  Rebellion.  He  also  expressed  surprise  at 
the  despondency  of  many  persons  at  the  North,  and  said 
at  Centre  Harbor  that  he  had  heard  more  grumbling  in 
three  days  since  he  had  left  the  army,  than  he  had  during 
his  whole  march  from  Newbern  to  Petersburg. 

Attending  the  New  England  Agricultural  Fair  at  Wor 
cester,  he  made  a  pleasant  speech",  in  which  he  spoke  of  his 
enjoyment  on  the  occasion  :  "I  have  enjoyed  it,"  said  he, 
"the  more  because,  notwithstanding  I  am,  in  reality,  a 
citizen  of  Rhode  Island,  I  was  born  in  the  extreme  West, 
and  the  early  part  of  my  life  was  passed  upon  a  farm,  and 
you  can  easily  realize  I  have  enjoyed  my  visit  to  a  greater 
extent  than  many  of  the  persons  who  are  now  in  the  sound 
of  my  voice,  who  have  passed  their  lives  in  cities  and 
towns.  I  am  sure  no  one  feels  a  greater  interest  in  this 
society  than  I,  myself.  I  am  a  citizen  of  New  England, 
and  feel  fully  identified  with  her  honor  and  interests.  My 
mind  has  been  so  taken  up  with  what  has  been  occupying, 
in  fact,  the  minds  of  all  of  us  for  the  last  two  or  three 
years  since  the  Rebellion  commenced,  that  I  can  bring  it 
to  bear  on  nothing  else.  I  can  think  of  nothing  else  of  any 
interest  except  the  great  cause  in  which  we  are  now  en 
gaged.  All  my  strength  and  works  I  have  brought  to 
bear  in  the  proper  direction,  trying  to  do  all  I  could  to 


GEN.    A  MBit  OS  E  E.    BURXSIDE.  257 

obey  the  constituted  authorities  of  this  government  in  re 
establishing  the  authority  which  ought  to  be  acknowledged 
by  every  good  citizen  of  the  United  States." 

General  Burnside  also  attended  the  centennial  celebra 
tion  of  Brown  University,  and  was  called  upon  for  a  re 
sponse  to  the  sentiment:  "Our  Honorary  and  Regular 
Graduates  in  the  Army — Decus  et  Presidium"  When 
the  applause  which  greeted  him  on  rising  had  subsided, 
General  Burnside  said,  "  When  our  Nation  was  in  danger, 
it  became  the  duty  of  every  citizen  to  do  all  in  his  power 
to  aid  the  existing  authorities  in  their  efforts  to  stay  the 
danger.  By  the  fulfillment  of  their  duty,  our  army  —  I  may 
say  our  gallant,  efficient  army  —  was  created  :  and  no  unim 
portant  element  of  that  army  was  constituted  by  the  gallant 
volunteers  from  this  noble  State,  who  were  almost  the  first 
to  go  to  the  capital  for  its  defense  ;  and  among  them  were 
many  of  the  distinguished  graduates  of  this  noble  institu 
tion,  who  have  performed  noble  and  gallant  service  in  our 
army,  and  many  are  now  performing  such  service,  and  I, 
as  one  who  has  been  dignified  and  honored  by  the  title  of 
an  honorary  graduate  of  Brown  University,  beg  to  thank 
you  for  the  kind  remembrance  in  which  you  have  held 
those  graduates  on  this  auspicious  day." 

He  went  on  to  urge  a  cordial  support  to  the  army  until 
the  Rebellion  should  be  crushed  and  the  authority  of  the 
government  sustained.  "  Our  army,"  said  he,  "  is  not  a 
mercenary  armv.  It  is  composed  of  our  own  citizens. 
Every  praying  man  in  the  army, —  and  there  are  a  great 
many  more  of  them  than  we  are  apt  to  imagine, —  I  say 
every  praying  man  in  our  army  asks  of  God  daily,  almost 
hourly,  that  peace  may  be  reestablished  ;  but  whilst  that 
desire  is  uppermost  in  his  heart,  no  honest,  loyal,  and  true 
soldier  will  ever  consent  to  a  division  of  his  countrv." 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


THE  POLITICAL  CAMPAIGN  OF  1864  — SPEECH  AT  PROVIDENCE —  CON 
GRESSIONAL  INVESTIGATION  OF  THE  ATTACK  ON  PETERSBURG 
-TESTIMONY  OF  LIEUTENANT-GENERAL  GRANT  — REPORT  OF 
THE  COMMITTEE- CLOSE  OF  THE  WAR  — RESIGNATION  — MILI 
TARY  CHARACTER -RETURN  TO  CIVIL  LIFE  —  PRESIDENT  OF 
THE  CINCINNATI  AND  MARTINSVILLE  RAILROAD. 

GENERAL    BURNSIDE,    relieved    from    military 
cares,    entered    heartily    into    the    political   cam 
paign  of  1864,  and  participated  in  several  political 
demonstrations   in   Rhode  Island.      His  presence  always 
awakened  the  enthusiastic  admiration  which  awaits  modest 
but  consummate  ability,  tried  integrity,  heroic  valor,  and 
the   best  qualities   that   make   the   soldier   and  adorn   the 
man. 

At  a  large  gathering  of  the  friends  of  Lincoln  and 
Johnson,  held  on  Market  Square,  at  Providence,  General 
Burnside  told  his  applauding  hearers  that  "  long  after  this 
Rebellion  shall  have  been  suppressed,  and  the  names  of  its 
leaders  and  prominent  sympathizers  remembered  only  in 
contempt  and  pity,  the  names  of  Abraham  Lincoln  and 
Andrew  Johnson  will  stand  out  in  the  pages  of  history  in 
brilliant  letters  of  loyalty,  love  of  freedom  and  devotion  to 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE.  250 

free  institutions.  The  great  and  glorious  Emancipation 
Proclamation  \vill  then  be  held  up  to  the  entire  civilized 
world  as  one  of  the  wisest,  noblest,  and  boldest  edicts  that 
ever  emanated  from  the  pen  of  ruler  or  statesman.  The 
same  proclamation  might  have  been  issued  at  an  earlier 
day  by  one  of  our  uncompromising  anti-slavery  leaders, 
without  giving  those  in  arms  against  the  government  who 
held  property  in  slaves  a  fair  notice,  and  before  it  had 
become  apparent  to  any  considerable  portion  of  our  people 
that  the  right  of  protection  to  that  class  of  property  had 
been  forfeited  by  the  treason  of  its  holders  ;  or  it  might 
have  been  issued  by  one  of  our  leaders,  who  could  see 
that  harm  was  resulting  to  the  Union  cause  from  the  use 
of  slaves  by  the  enemies  of  the  government.  But  the 
President  gave  ample  warning,  and  delayed  action  much 
longer  than  was  thought  wise  by  many  of  our  patriotic 
citizens,  only  taking  the  step  when  it  was  clear  to  him 
that  he  owed  it  as  a  duty  to  the  soldiers  and  sailors  in  the 
service  and  to  their  friends  at  home,  to  give  them  an  ad 
ditional  aid  in  their  noble  work  by  turning  to  their  account 
a  force  which  had  been  used  against  them,  either  directly, 
by  building  fortifications  and  performing  other  military 
labor,  or  indirectly,  by  raising  food  and  doing  other  work 
which  enabled  their  masters  to  leave  their  homes  and  take 
up  arms  against  their  government. 

"The  Emancipation  Proclamation,"  said  General  Burn- 
side,  "was  issued  as  a  war  measure,  and  I  will  not  ask 
you,  my  friends,  to  go  as  far  as  I  do  in  support  of  that 
measure,  until  you  are  convinced  of  its  entire  wisdom,  jus 
tice,  and  practicability.  But  no  harm  can  result  from  tell 
ing  you  how  fully  and  freely  I  support  it.  I  have  resolved 
never  to  willingly  do  an  act  that  will  tend  to  enslave  any 
man,  woman,  or  child  who  is  made  free  by  that  procla- 


26o  LIFE   AND  PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

mation,  nor  to  fail  to  do  all  in  my  power  as  a  citizen  or 
soldier,  in  the  field  or  at  the  ballOt-box,  to  insure  freedom 
to  all  who  are  held  in  contemplation  by  the  proclamation. 
The  obligation  to  keep  this  resolution  I  conceive  to  be  as 
binding  as  that  which  would  induce  me  to  keep  a  resolve 
not  to  enter  into  an  arrangement  to  fit  out  slave-ships  in 
New  York  or  Boston  harbors,  for  the  purpose  of  trafficking 
in  slaves  between  the  coast  of  Africa  and  the  island  of 
Cuba  ;  for,  if  by  any  act  I  am  a  party  to  any  armistice, 
compromise,  or  treaty  that  reenslaves  men  made  free  by 
the  war  measure,  the  responsibility  of  enslaving  human 
beings  rests  upon  me." 

On  election-day,  General  Burnside  heard  that  one  of  his 
old  soldiers  was  ill  and  unable  to  walk  to  the  polls.  Going 
to  the  registry-list,  he  ascertained  that  the  veteran  was  a 
qualified  voter,  and  sent  his  carriage  for  the  brave  fellow, 
who  was  thus  able  to  deposit  his  ballot  to  fortify  the  bullets  he 
had  sent  into  the  rebel  ranks.  While  he  was  thus  earnest 
in  encouraging  the  political  success  of  the  Republicans,  he 
frequently  expressed  his  belief  that  those  arrayed  against 
each  other  in  hostility  would  be  friends,  and  that  the  time 
would  come  when  every  loyal  heart  would  turn  with  kind 
ness  toward  all  of  the  Confederates  who  would  lay  down 
their  arms  and  recognize  the  authority  of  the  government. 

When  Congress  met,  a  Joint  Committee  on  the  Conduct 
of  the  War  was  directed  to  inquire  into  and  report  the  facts 
concerning  the  attack  on  Petersburg.  This  committee  met 
in  the  city  of  Washington,  at  different  times,  from  Dec.  17, 
1864,  to  Jan.  16,  1865.  Nearly  all  of  those  who  had  tes 
tified  before  the  court  of  inquiry  were  examined  by  the 
joint  committee,  and  their  evidence  was  more  complete 
and  clear  than  that  which  they  gave  before  the  court. 
The  questions  which  were  put  by  the  joint  committee  were 


GEN.    AMBJtOSE  E.    BURNSfDE. 


261 


more  thorough  and  searching  in  their  character  than  those 
put  by  the  officers  of  the  court  to  the  witnesses,  and  they 
expressed  their  opinions  with  greater  freedom. 

Lieutenant-General 
Grant,  in  his  testi 
mony,  showed  that 
he  had  permitted  the 
troops  to  go  forward 
under  Gen.  Meade's 
orders,  to  crowd  into 
the  crater,  and  to  re 
main  there  at  least 
three  hours  after  the 
time  when,  in  his 
opinion,  the  opportun 
ity  of  victory  was  lost. 
It  was,  moreover,  very 
evident  that  the  em 
ployment  of  colored 
troops  had  been  pre 
sented  to  his  mind  by  General  Meade  in  an  unfavorable 
manner.  To  a  question  concerning  General  Burnside's 
plan  of  putting  his  division  of  colored  troops  in  the  ad 
vance,  General  Grant  answered  : 

"General  Burnside  wanted  to  put  his  colored  division  in  front,  and  I 
believe  if  he  had  done  so  it  would  have  been  a  success.  Still,  I  agree 
with  General  Meade  in  his  objection  to  that  plan.  General  Meade  said 
that  if  we  put  the  colored  troops  in  front  (we  had  only  that  one  division) 
and  it  should  prove  a  failure,  it  would  then  be  said,  and  very  properly, 
that  we  were  shoving  those  people  ahead  to  get  killed  because  we  did  not 
care  anything  about  them.  Hut  that  could  not  be  said  if  we  put  white 
troops  in  front.  That  is  the  only  point  he  changed,  to  my  knowledge, 
after  he  had  given  his  orders  to  General  Burnside." 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN. 


The  Joint  Committee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  War,  after  a 


262  LIFE  AND   PL'BLIC   SERVICES    OF 

careful  and  impartial  review  of  the  testimony  taken  by 
them,  expressed  their  opinion  in  decisive  terms,  as  will  be 
seen  by  the  following  paragraphs  from  their  report : 

Your  committee  cannot,  from  all  the  testimony,  avoid  the  conclusion 
that  the  first  and  great  cause  of  disaster  was  the  change  made  on  the  af 
ternoon  preceding  the  attack,  in  the  arrangement  of  General  Burnside  to 
place  the  division  of  colored  troops  in  the  advance.  The  reasons  as 
signed  by  General  Burnside  for  not  taking  one  of  his  divisions  of  white 
troops  for  that  purpose  are  fully  justified  by  the  result  of  the  attack. 
Their  previous  arduous  labors,  and  peculiar  position,  exposed  continu 
ally  to  the  enemy's  fire,  had,  as  it  were,  trained  them  in  the  habit  of  seek 
ing  shelter;  and,  true  to  that  training,  they  sought  shelter  the  first  op 
portunity  that  presented  itself  after  leaving  our  lines.  And  it  is  but  rea 
sonable  tc  suppose  that  the  immediate  commander  of  a  corps  is  better 
acquainted  with  the  condition  and  efficiency  of  particular  divisions  of  his 
corps  than  a  general  further  removed  from  them. 

The  conduct  of  the  colored  troops,  when  they  were  put  into  action, 
would  seem  to  fully  justify  the  confidence  that  General  Burnside  reposed 
in  them.  And  General  Grant  himself,  in  his  testimony,  expresses  his  be 
lief  that  if  they  had  been  placed  in  the  advance,  as  General  Burnside 
desired,  the  assault  would  have  been  successful,  although  at  the  time  the 
colored  troops  were  ordered  in  the  white  troops  already  in  were  in  con 
fusion,  and  had  failed  in  the  assault  upon  the  crest  beyond  the  crater,  and 
the  fire  of  the  enemy  had  become  exceedingly  destructive.  The  colored 
troops  advanced  in  good  order,  passed  through  the  enemy's  lines  and 
beyond  our  disorganized  troops  there,  and,  stopping  but  a  short  time  to 
re-form,  made  the  charge  as  directed.  But  the  fire  of  the  enemy  Avas  too 
strong,  and  some  others  of  our  troops  hurrying  back  through  their  lines, 
they  were  thrown  into  confusion  and  forced  to  retire. 

Your  committee  desire  to  say  that,  in  the  statement  of  facts  and  conclu 
sions  which  they  present  in  their  report,  they  wish  to  be  distinctly  under 
stood  us  in  no  degree  censuring  the  conduct  of  the  troops  engaged  in  this 
assault.  While  they  confidently  believe  that  the  selection  of  the  division 
of  colored  troops  by  General  Burnside  to  lead  the  assault  was,  under  the 
circumstances,  the  best  that  could  -have  been  made,  they  do  not  intend, 
thereby,  to  have  it  inferred  that  the  white  troops  of  the  Ninth  Corps  are 
behind  anv  troops  in  the  service  in  those  qualities  which  have  placed  our 
volunteer  troops  before'the  world  as  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  any  known 
to  modern  warfare.  The  services  performed  by  the  Ninth  Corps  on  many 
a  well-fought  battle-field,  not  only  in  this  campaign  but  in  others,  have 
been  such  as  to  prove  that  they  are  second  to  none  in  the  service.  Your 


GEN.    AMBIIOSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

committee  believe  that  any  other  troops  exposed  to  the  same  influences, 
under  the  same  circumstances,  and  for  the  same  length  of  time,  would 
have  been  similarly  affected.  Xo  one,  upon  a  careful  consideration  of  all 
the  circumstances,  can  be  surprised  that  those  influences  should  have 
produced  the  effects  they  did  upon  them. 

In  conclusion  they,  your  committee,  must  say  that,  in  their  opinion, 
the  cause  of  the  disastrous  result  of  the  assault  of  the  3oth  of  July  last 
is  mainly  attributable  to  the  fact  that  the  plans  and  suggestions  of  the 
general  who  had  devoted  his  attention  for  so  long  a  time  to  the  subject, 
who  had  carried  out  to  a  successful  completion  the  project  of  mining  the 
enemy's  works,  and  who  had  carefully  selected  and  drilled  his  troops  for 
the  purpose  of  securing  whatever  advantages  might  be  attainable  from  the 
explosion  of  the  mine,  should  have  been  so  entirely  disregarded  bv  a  gen 
eral  who  had  evinced  no  faith  in  the  successful  prosecution  of  that  work, 
had  aided  it  by  no  countenance  or  open  approval,  and  had  assumed  the 
entire  direction  and  control  only  when  it  was  completed,  and  the  time 
had  come  for  reaping  any  advantages  that  might  be  derived. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

B.   F.   WADE,    Chairman. 

While  the  Joint  Committee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  Wai- 
was  pursuing  its  investigations,  General  Burnside,  at  their 
request,  remained  in   Washington.       He  was  anxious  to 
have  his  own  conduct  criticised,  but  he  did  not  seek  to  dis 
parage  other  generals,  or  endeavor  to  detract  from  their 
merits.     President  Lincoln  sought  his  society  and  his  coun 
sel,  but  again  refused  to  accept  his  resignation,  saying  that 
he  might  want  to  entrust  him  with  an  important  command 
in  the  fall.      But  the  war  was  virtually  at  an  end,  and  on 
the  9th  of  April,  1865,  General  Lee  surrendered  to  Gen 
eral  Grant,  at  Appomattox   Court  House,  the  survivors  of 
his  brave  army,  which  had  struggled  gallantly  against  the 
inevitable  and  the  irrepressible.       After  peace  had  been 
declared,  General  Burnside  once  more  tendered  his  resig 
nation,  which  was  accepted  by  President  Johnson  on  the 
i5th  of  April.  1865. 

The  record  of  General  Burnside's  military  career  shows 


264  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

that  he  believed  that  "  the  post  of  honor  was  the  post  of 
duty."  As  General  Browne,  of  Indiana,  remarked  in  his 
eulogy,  "From  the  day  on  which  he  accepted  the  com 
mand  of  the  Rhode  Island  regiment  until  he  resigned,  he 
gave  his  services  to  the  Nation  that  had  educated  him,  and 
his  name  was  a  part  of  its  history.  He  was  a  man  of  in 
trepid  courage  —  a  courage  unmixed  with  insolence  or 
brutality. 

His  was  not  the  brutal  force 
Of  vulgar  heroes, 

for  in  no  sense  of  the  word  was  "he  a  braggart  or  a  bully. 
He  feared  no  man  but  himself.  If  there  was  one  infirmity 
in  his  nature,  it  was  the  lack  of  self-confidence.  He  did  a 
great  injustice  to  his  own  powers,  for  he  was  an  infinitely 
greater  and  stronger  man  than  he  thought  himself  to  be. 
He  weakened  himself  by  his  self-distrust,  and  sometimes 
failed  to  win  —  not  because  he  feared  for  his  personal 
safety,  but  because  he  was  afraid  he  might  put  in  jeopardy 
his  country  and  its  cause.  Future  generations  will  learn 
from  General  Burnside's  example  the  lesson  of  devotion  to 
duty  and  loyalty  to  human  liberty." 

While  the  loyal  North  claimed  General  Burnside  as  one 
of  the  heroes  of  the  war  for  the  suppression  of  the  Rebel 
lion,  he  was  especially  dear  to  the  people  of  his  adopted 
state,  who  had  with  peculiar  interest  and  affection  followed 
the  brilliant  career  of  "the  colonel  of  the  famous  old 
Rhode  Island  First  Regiment."  The  Providence  'Jour 
nal,  in  an  editorial  article  announcing  the  acceptance  of 
General  Burnside's  resignation,  said  : 

Everywhere,  and  at  all  times,  he  has  done  his  whole  duty.  In  the 
darkest  hours  of  the  Avar,  when  many  hearts  desponded,  he  never  wav 
ered  or  doubted.  Full  of  confidence  in  our  superior  power,  and  full  of 
the  most  implicit  faith  in  the  principle  that  God  must  give  us  the  victory, 


GEN.    AMIUfOSE  E.    BL'KXSIDE.  265 

because  our  cause  was  just,  he  had  the  happy  facultv  of  inspiring  all 
those  around  him,  his  friends,  the  audiences  he  addressed,  and  his  army 
with  the  same  hope  which  lighted  up  his  own  heart.  One  of  the  first  of 
the  regi'lar  army  officers  to  approve  heartily  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  emancipa 
tion  policy,  he  was  also  one  of  the  first  to  favor  the  arming  of  black 
troops,  and  'one  of  the  most  successful  in  training  them  for  action. 
Utterly  free  from  that  jealousy  of  the  fame  of  others  which  has  detracted 
from  the  merits  and  impaired  the  efficiency  of  so  many  officers,  he  was 
quick  to  recognize  the  talent  of  all  his  comrades,  and  magnanimous 
almost  to  a  fault  in  judging  the  motives  of  those  who  attempted  by 
unworthy  means  to  injure  him.  It  is  not  strange  that  with  these  noble 
and  generous  traits  he  has  been  so  beloved  bv  all  the  officers  and  soldiers 
under  him,  and  by  the  Nation  at  large.  We  doubt  if  anyone  of  our  prom 
inent  officers  has  more  endeared  himself  to  all  who  knew  him  than  our 
warm-hearted,  large-hearted,  self-sacrificing,  patriotic  Burnside.  We 
trust  that  wherever  his  business  may  call  him,  he  will  still  regard  Rhode 
Island  as  his  home.  She  certainly  will  always  claim  him  as  her  adopted 
son. 

Resuming  the  pursuits  of  civil  life,  General  Burnside 
became  identified  with  the  construction  of  railroads,  for 
which  he  was  qualified  by  his  West  Point  education.  The 
stockholders  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company, 
which  he  had  served  as  treasurer  before  the  war,  elected 
him  a  director.  In  1865  he  was  elected  president  of  the 
Cincinnati  and  Martinsville  Railroad,  from  Fairland  to 
Martinsville,  Indiana,  a  distance  of  forty  miles.  To  com 
plete  the  construction  of  this  railroad,  $400,000  of  seven 
per  cent,  first  mortgage  bonds  were  issued,  guaranteed  by 
the  Indianapolis,  Cincinnati  and  Lafayette  Railroad  Com 
pany,  to  which  the  road  was  leased  in  advance  of  its  com 
pletion.  It  required  no  small  financial  ability  to  negotiate 
a  sufficient  amount  of  these  bonds  to  pay  the  contractors, 
but  it  was  done,  and  the  road  was  placed  in  working  order. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


NOMINATED  AND  ELECTED  GOVERNOR  OF  RHODE  ISLAND  —  RAIL 
ROAD  OPERATIONS  AT  THE  WEST— SOLDIERS'  MONUMENT  AT 
PROVIDENCE  — PRESENTATION-  RE-ELECTION  — A  WEST  POINT 
COMRADE  AIDED— THE  KINGSBURY  WILL— VINCENNES  AND 
CAIRO  RAILROAD. 

THE  announcement,  in  the  spring  of  1866,  that  the 
name  of  General  Burnside  would  be  presented  to 
the  convention  called  to  nominate  a  Republican 
candidate  for  governor  of  Rhode  Island,  was  received  with 
great  enthusiasm.  His  pure  patriotism,  his  large  heart, 
his  noble  bearing,  his  genial  kindness,  his  willingness  to 
suffer  unduly  rather  than  blame  others,  his  love  of  duty 
rather  than  position,  constituted  the  amplest  claim  to  the 
regards  of  his  adopted  state.  The  people  of  Rhode  Island, 
whose  battle-flags  bore  the  names  of  his  victories,  were 
delighted  to  inscribe  his  name  upon  their  state  banner. 
When  the  convention  met,  General  Burnside  was  enthusi 
astically  nominated  by  acclamation,  and  it  was  felt  that 
Rhode  Island,  by  inviting  him  to  the  chair  of  her  chief 
magistrate,  honored  herself  by  calling  him.  At  the  elec 
tion,  which  was  held  on  the  4th  of  April,  1866.  General 
Burnside  received  7,725  votes:  Lyman  Pierce,  his  Demo- 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE.  267 

cratic  opponent,  received  2,776  votes,  and  there  were  160 
scattering  votes. 

On  Tuesday,  the  2pth  of  May,  1866,  General  Burnside 
was  inaugurated  into  his  office,  at  Newport,  amid  a  greater 
amount  of  enthusiasm  than  had  ever  before  stirred  the 
hearts  of  the  people.  On  Election  day  the  entire  volunteer 
militia  of  the  State  came  to  Newport  to  participate  in  the 
pageant,  and  in  their  ranks  were  hundreds  of  veterans 
who  had  served  under  the  general.  The  city  sergeant 
proclaimed  from  the  balcony  of  the  State  House,  in  accord 
ance  with  the  time-honored  programme,  "  Hear  ye  !  Hear 
ye  !  Hear  ye  !  His  Excellency  Ambrose  E.  Burnside  has 
been  duly  elected  Captain-General  and  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  and  Providence  Plan 
tations  !  "  Then  the  cannon  roared,  the  bands  played,  the 
assembled  multitude  cheered,  and  the  governor  was  es 
corted  through  the  streets  by  the  military,  receiving,  all 
along  the  route,  bouquets  and  the  waving  of  handkerchiefs 
from  the  ladies,  with  cheers  from  the  men. 

As  chief  magistrate  of  Rhode  Island,  General  Burnside 
exhibited  in  the  strongest  light  those  distinctive  traits  of 
character  for  which  he  was  so  remarkable.  He  had 
obeyed  the  commands  of  authority  as  a  soldier,  and  he 
expected  from  every  subordinate  official,  civil  or  military, 
that  allegiance  that  alone  can  insure  success.  Independ 
ent  in  his  disposition,  with  original  ideas  and  fearless 
in  expressing  them,  and  jealous  of  the  honor  of  his  adopted 
state,  he  made  a  useful  chief  magistrate.  He  heard  what 
was  to  be  said  on  every  disputed  question  which  came 
before  him,  holding  his  judgment  in  abeyance  until  noth 
ing  more  was  said  on  either  side,  and  then  formed  his 
opinion  with  inflexible  firmness.  The  only  exception  was 
when  petitioners  appeared  before  him,  asking  pardon  for 


268  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SEKTICES    OF 

those  who  were  alleged  to  be  undergoing  unjust  sentences. 
On  such  occasions  mercy  predominated  over  justice. 

While  discharging  the  duties  of  governor,  General 
Burnside  was  also  actively  engaged  as  president  of  the 
Cincinnati  and  Martinsville  Railroad  Company,  as  presi 
dent  of  the  Rhode  Island  Locomotive  Works  at  Provi 
dence,  as  president  of  the  Indianapolis  and  Vincennes 
Railroad  Company,  and  as  a  director  of  the  Illinois  Cen 
tral  Railroad  Company,  and  the  Narragansett  Steamship 
Company.  In  these  varied  enterprises,  as  in  the  perform 
ance  of  his  duties  as  chief  magistrate,  personal  responsi 
bility  was  General  Burnside's  secret  of  success.  Every 
official,  every  clerk,  and  every  engineer  was  made  to  know 
that  he  must  perform  his  duty.  The  acts  of  every  one 
were  subjected  to  a  careful  supervision,  and  every  minor 
detail  was  closely  looked  after.  Inspiring  his  associates 
and  subordinates  with  a  consciousness  of  strength,  the 

O          7 

spirit  of  energetic  determination,  and  well-regulated  habits 
of  industry,  General  Burnside  found  it  an  easy  task  to 
secure  their  zealous  cooperation. 

General  Burnside  was  the  chairman  of  a  committee  of 
the  General  Assembly,  appointed  in  June,  1866,  to  invite 
designs  for  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  the  officers  and 
men  in  the  army  and  navy  of  the  United  States  who  fell 
in  battle,  and  who  died  of  their  wounds  or  from  sickness, 
during  the  late  Rebellion.  A  number  of  designs  were  sub 
mitted,  and  the  committee  finally  selected  that  of  Mr. 
Randolph  Rogers,  in  which  architecture  and  sculpture 
combined  to  express  public  gratitude.  In  concluding  a 
report  stating  the  selection  which  they  had  made,  the  com 
mittee  said  : 

The  awful  storm  of  war  has  passed.     Peace,  at  least  in  our  borders,  has 
resumed  her  gracious  sway;  but  the  men  who  called  her  home  from  the 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE. 


269 


bloody  field  and  the  stormy  wave  are  not  all  here.  Their  resting-places 
are  on  distant  battle-grounds,  or  rebel  prison-yards,  or  under  the  un 
marked  and  remote  soil ;  but  here  are  their  empty  places  ;  here  are  those 
to  whom  when  in  life  they  were  dear,  and  who  now  cherish  their  mem 
ories  with  a  prdud  sorrow;  here  is  the  State  for  which  they  sacrificed 


SOLDIERS    AND    SAILOKS    MONUMENT,    PROVIDENCE. 

themselves;  here,  if  anywhere,  must  the  records  of  their  deeds  be 
preserved.  When  the  danger  was  imminent,  the  State  sent  forth  her 
sons  ;  it  is  no  wonder  that  now,  when  that  danger  is  past,  she  shpuld 
remember  their  devotion, "and  should  resolve  to  erect  for  the  coming 
ages,  a  memorial  of  their  self-sacrifice,  and  an  incentive  to  imitate  their 
patriotism.  To  such  a  purpose,  who  would  not  say  God-speed  ?  Who 
would  not  open  the  purse  of  the  State  to  honor  her  patriot  dead?  Who 
would  not  invite  the  greatest  of  arts  to  commemorate  the  noblest  of 
virtues?  All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted  bv  vour  committee, 

A.    E.    BURXSIDE,    Chairman. 


270 


LItE    AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


In  the  fall  of  1866,  a  magnificent  silver  punch-bowl  was 
presented  to  General  Burnside  by  the  gentlemen  who  had 
served  on  his  personal  staff'  during  the  war.  The  bowl 
stood  eighteen  inches  high,  and  was  twelve  inches  across 
the  top.  It  was  supported  on  a  solid  octagon  base,  about 
six  inches  across,  with  a  cannon  at  each  corner.  On  the 
front  of  the  base  was  General  Burnside's  monogram,  and 
on  the  reverse,  the  badge  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps.  A 
wreath  of  laurel  wound  around  the  base,  and  swords, 
gauntlets,  regulation  hats,  and  other  military  insignia  were 
artistically  engraved  upon  the  bowl.  On  the  front  was  a 
representation  of  the  national  flag,  with  the  names  of 
twelve  of  the  most  prominent  battles  in  which  the  general 
was  engaged  engraved  upon  the  stripes. 

On  the  28th  of  May,  1867,  General  Burnside  was  re- 
elected  governor  of  Rhode  Island,  receiving  7,569  votes, 
against  3,339  votes  for  Lyman  Pierce,  his  Democratic 
opponent,  and  six  scattering  votes.  An  incident  illus 
trating  the  generous  disposition  of  General  Burnside  has 
been  narrated  by  Gen.  Harry  Heth,  his  classmate,  room 
mate,  and  life-long  friend.  General  Heth,  who  was  a 
Virginian,  espoused  the  Confederate  cause,  and  at  the  close 
of  the  war  found  himself  without  means  and  with  a  family 
to  support.  While  in  this  condition,  the  following  incident 
occurred.  It  was  narrated  by  General  Heth  himself,  at 
a  meeting  of  West  Point  classmates,  in  the  city  of  New 
York. 

Burnside  wrote  me  a  kind  and  loving  letter,  requesting  me  to  meet  him 
in  this  city.  I  came  here,  went  to  his  hotel,  sent  up  my  card,  and  in 
reply  was  requested  to  wait  a  few  minutes ;  on  reaching  his  room  I  found 
him  alone;  he  at  once  bolted  the  door.  A  few  months  before,  we  had 
been  locked  in  a  struggle  for  life  or  death,  upon  many  bloodv  battle 
fields. 

For  thirty  seconds  not  a  word  was  spoken       Your  imaginations  may, 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE.  2yi 

possibly,  picture  the  scene.  He  was  first  to  break  the  silence.  He  said, 
"  Heth,  old  fello\v,  what  are  your  plans?"  I  answered  I  had  formed 
none.  He  replied,  "  I  have  formed  them  for  you.  Your  father,  during 
his  life,  was  a  large  owner  and  worker  of  coal  property  near  Richmond. 
Return  to  Virginia  and  find  some  good  coal-lands,  and  let  us  work  them 
jointly;  when  found  come  and  see  me." 

The  coal-lands  were  found,  and  I  again  met  him  in  New  York. 

He  said,  "  We  will  work  these  lands  as  equal  partners,  on  one  condi 
tion,  which  I  will  presently  state.  I  am  now  governor  of  Rhode  Island  ; 
That  takes  up  but  little  of  mv  time;  I  am  also  president  of  the  '  Provi 
dence  Locomotive  Works  ;'  that  duty  takes  up  some  time,  but  everv  spare 
moment  is  occupied  in  superintending  the  building  of  a  railroad  in  Illi 
nois ;  you  must  take  entire  charge  of  this  work  in  Virginia,  and  all  that 
I  promise  to  do  is  to  honor  your  drafts  to  any  amount  you  may  desire  to 
draw  for." 

General  Burnside  organized  a  company,  which  was 
chartered  by  the  General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island,  to 
work  these  "Norwood  Coal  Mines,"  but  they  did  not  prove 
a  success.  General  Burnside,  however,  in  other  ways 
promoted  the  welfare  of  his  friend,  General  Heth. 

General  Burnside,  while  he  was  governor,  paid  great 
attention  to  the  volunteer  militia  of  Rhode  Island,  with 
which  he  had  been  so  honorably  identified.  In  1867  a 
complete  roster  was  published,  which  also  included  all 
officers  who  had  been  commissioned  in  the  Rhode  Island 
militia  during  the  war  for  the  suppression  of  the  Re 
bellion. 

Senator  Maxey,  of  Texas,  also  a  classmate  of  General 
Burnside  at  West  Point  who  was  arrayed  against  him  dur 
ing  the  war,  and  whose  friendly  relations  were  resumed 
when  they  became  members  of  the  United  States  Senate, 
narrated,  in  an  eloquent  eulogy  which  he  delivered,  the 
following  characteristic  story,  which  he  obtained  from  the 
legal  records  of  the  case  : 

Maj.  Julius  J.  B.  Kingsbury,  deceased,  formerly  of  the  army,  was  at 
his  death  the  owner  of  valuable  real  estate,  principally  in  Chicago,  worth 


272 


LIFE  AND   ri'HLIC    SEIt  VICES    OF 


about  one  million  dollars.  His  only  children  and  heirs  were  Mrs.  Mary 
K.  Buckner,  wife  of  General  S.  B.  Buckner,  a  distinguished  and  gallant 
officer  of  the  Confederate  Army,  and  Henry  W.  Kingsbury,  a  promising 
young  officer  of  the  Union  Army,  who  fell,  mortally  wounded,  Sept.  17, 
1862,  at  the  head  of  his  regiment,  the  Eleventh  Connecticut  Volunteers, 
at  Antietam.  On  the  i5th  of  May,  1861,  General  Buckner  and  wife,  then 
living  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  executed  a  conveyance,  without  the  knowl 
edge  of  Henry  Kingsbury,  to  him  of  her  interest  in  the  property,  of  the 
value  at  that  time  of  about  five  hundred  thousand  dollars.  At  that  time 
Henry  was  a  young,  unmarried  man.  The  conveyance  was  absolute  on 
its  face,  and  without  Henry's  knowledge  was  recorded  in  the  registry  of 
deeds  in  Chicago.  The  first  intimation,  in  fact,  that  he  had  of  this  deed 
was  given  to  him  by  General  Buckner  in  this  city,  July  7,  1861.  It  was 
accepted  by  Henry  as  a  sacred  trust,  as  is  shown  by  his  reply  in  the  con 
versation  referred  to.  Both  knew  and  felt  that  the  clouds  of  war  were 

« 

gathering  thick  and  fast.  They  instinctively  felt  that  convictions  would 
lead  them  to  opposing  sides.  Absolute  confidence  was  felt,  and  justly 
so,  by  each  in  the  other.  Young  Kingsbury  knew  and  felt  that  life  in 
the  midst  of  war  was  very  uncertain.  He  felt  that,  as  an  honorable  man, 
clothed  with  a  sacred  trust,  he  should  make  provision  to  preserve  to  his 
sister  her  property  in  case  of  his  death,  and,  to  carry  out  his  purpose, 
wrote,  on  the  25th  of  March,  1862,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Virginia,  what  he 
intended  to  be  a  will.  In  that  will  or  paper  Burnside  was  named  one  of 
the  executors.  He  had  the  absolute  confidence  of  Henry  Kingsbury,  and 
also  of  General  Buckner.  He  had  enjoyed  the  friendship  and  confidence 
of  Henry's  father  in  his  life-time,  and  had  that  of  his  mother.  Henry 
Kingsbury  married  after  the  date  of  the  conversation  referred  to,  and  a 
child  and  heir  was  born  unto  him  after  his  death. 

This  necessitated  the  settlement  of  the  question  of  title  to  the  Chicago 
property.  Was  the  deed  to  be  held  an  absolute  conveyance,  or  was  it  a 
trust?  In  the  investigation  of  this  intricate  and  delicate  question,  the 
paper  designed  to  be  a  will  became  importa'nt,  not  as  a  will,  but  as  a 
writing  showing  the  character  in  which  Henry  held  his  sister's  interest 
in  the  property. 

Burnside,  as  executor,  set  to  work  to  find  and  possess  this  will  or 
paper,  and  found  ic  in  possession  of  a  Mr.  Hazard,  in  the  citv  of  New 
York.  Hazard  refused  to  deliver  it  up,  and  possession  was  only  obtained 
through  a  contested  application  before  the  surrogate.  Letters  testamen 
tary  were  issued  to  Burnside,  and  the  will  was  admitted  to  probate  in 
Virginia,  and  an  authenticated  copy  was  soon  after  exhibited  to  the 
county  court  of  Cook  County,  in  which  Chicago  is  situated,  and  ordered 
to  record. 

The  outcome  of  the  litigation   that  ensued  was,   that    the    deed    from 


(i  EX.    AMBROSE    /;.    /U.'/t.VS 


273 

Buckner  and  wife  to  Henry  W.  Kingsburv  was   adjudged    to   be   a   trust, 
and  Mrs.   Buckner's  property  was  rightfully  restored  to  her. 

Of  voung  Kingsbury,  the  supreme  court  of  Illinois  says  :  "  The  late 
Henry  W.  Kingsbury  was,  as  this  case  shows,  not  only  a  trustee  of  the 
property  for  his  sister,  but  was  an  honest  trustee."  What  a  splendid 
monument  to  his  memory!  What  an  inheritance,  infinitely  beyond  riches, 
to  leave  to  his  child,  unborn  at  his  death  ! 

General  Buckner,  in  a  note  to  Senator  Maxey  in  respect 
to  these  proceedings,  speaking  of  General  Burnside  and 
his  efforts  to  find,  possess,  and  establish  the  will,  says  : 

His  sole  object  was  to  see  full  justice  done  between  all  the  parties  con 
cerned,  without  partiality  or  favor  to  any.  He  preserved  the  esteem,  I 
feel  assured,  of  all  the  parties,  and  certainly  preserved  the  high  regard  and 
affection  in  which  I  constantly  held  him  (.luring  our  long  and  continued 
association  and  friendship.  His  sole  desire  was  to  discharge  fully 
the  trust  reposed  in  him  by  his  young  friend,  Henry  Kingsbury,  but 
the  fact  that  justice  and  equity  were  on  my  side  does  not  lessen  my 
feeling  of  gratitude  for  his  noble  conduct. 

In  the  fall  of  1867  General  Burnside  entered  into  nego 
tiations  by  which  he  became,  in  the  spring  of  1868,  presi 
dent  of  the  Vincennes  and  Cairo  Railroad,  with  entire  con 
trol  of  the  work.  He  arranged  for  leasing  the  road  to 
other  corporations,  who  guaranteed  the  principal  and  in 
terest  of  bonds  which  he  issued.  This  guarantee  ena 
bled  him  to  dispose  of  the  bonds,  and  to  proceed  with  the 
construction  of  the  road  without  embarrassment. 

On  the  26th  of  May,  1868,  General  Burnside  was  for 
the  third  time  elected  governor  of  .Rhode  Island,  receiving 
10,054  votes,  against  5,709  for  Lyman  Pierce,  and  five 
scattering.  On  assuming  the  office  of  governor  of  Rhode 
Island,  General  Burnside  found  a  large  unsettled  account 
against  the  general  government,  for  expenses  incurred  in 
recruiting  regiments  for  the  Union  army.  His  military 
training  and  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  use  of  red  tape 


274  GEX.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

in  the  various  bureaus  of  the  War  Department  enabled 
him  to  have  these  accounts  put  into  such  shape  as  secured 
their  payment.  The  General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island 
recognized  his  services  by  the  passage  of  the  following 
resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  appreciate  with  high  satisfaction 
the  valuable  services  of  His  Excellency  the  Governor,  in  his  successful 
settlement  of  the  claims  of  this  State  against  the  United  States. 

While  o;overnor  of  Rhode  Island,  General  Burnside  was 

O 

fortunate  in  having  as  his  secretary  of  state  that  ripe 
scholar  and  accomplished  gentleman,  John  Russell  Bart- 
lett,  who  has  done  so  much  to  secure  biographical  sketches 
of  the  Rhode  Island  officers  who  served  in  the  war  for  the 
suppression  of  the  Rebellion.  His  advice  strengthened 
and  dio-nified  the  administration  of  General  Burnside. 

«3» 

In  the  spring  of  1869  the  surviving  officers  of  the  Ninth 
Corps  met  in  the  city  of  New  York,  to  form  a  permanent 
organization  in  the  name  of  the  "  Society  of  the  Burnside 
Expedition  and  Ninth  Army  Corps,"  and  the  association, 
formed  later  in  that  vear,  still  exists. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


HOME  AT  PROVIDENCE  —  LOVE  OF  THE  SOLDIERS  TOR  "OLD  BUR- 
XEY"—  COURTESY  TOWARDS  INFERIORS -AX  ACT  OF  KINDNESS 
—  ATTACK  MADE  OX  HIM  BY  SEXATOR  SPR  AGUE  —  DEFENSE  OF 
HIM  BY  SENATORS  ANTHONY,  NYE,  CHANDLER,  ABBOTT,  AND 
MORTON— TESTIMONIAL  FROM  CITIZENS  OF  RHODE  ISLAND  — 
NINTH  ARMY  CORPS  ASSOCIATION. 

GENERAL  BURNSIDE'S  home  in  Providence 
was  a  commodious,  substantially-built  house  on 
Benefit  Street,  comfortably,  although  not  extrava 
gantly  furnished,  and  containing  many  souvenirs  of  the 
war.  He  had  there  a  good  library  of  reference,  which  he 
frequently  consulted,  not  skimming  over  the  books  to  pass 
away  time,  but  looking  into  them  as  a  man  of  mind,  who' 
wishes  to  derive  benefit  from  all  that  he  reads.  When  he 
undertook  to  study  a  question  he  went  directly  to  the  first 
principles,  separating  that  which  was  casual  and  local 
from  that  which  was  permanent  and  founded  on  the  basis 
of  moral  justice.  There  was  nothing  about  Jiim  of  that 
bustling  smartness  so  often  seen  in  persons  of  ordinary 
mind,  striving  to  perform  something  to  attract  the  attention 
of  those  around  them.  He  never  seemed  hurried  or  con 
fused,  in  the  performance  of  his  multitudinous  avocations, 
but  went  about  them  systematically,  calmly,  and  quietly. 


276  LIFE  AXD   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

Blessed  with  an  iron  frame  that  felt  few  or  no  infirmities, 
and  free  from  those  vices  which  often  bring  down  the 
mighty  intellect  to  a  degrading  enslavement,  his  path  of 
duty  was  not  obstructed  by  any  physical,  moral,  or  mental 
weakness.  His  was  "a  sound  mind  in  a  sound  body." 

General  Burnside  was  a  lover  of  peace,  of  industry,  and 
of  progress.  To  help  those  who  were  endeavoring  to  help 
themselves,  was  his  sagacious  plan,  and  he  was  eminently 
successful.  Kindness  was  the  means  to  all  his  ends  — 
and  to  every  one,  on  every  suitable  occasion,  he  preached 
kindness.  The  soldiers  who  had  served  under  him  were 
the  constant  objects  of  his  solicitude,  and  when  the  silver- 
toned  bugles  had  proclaimed  peace,  he  was  none  the  less 
anxious  to  promote  their  welfare. 

His  military  nature  was  heroic,  but  at  the  same  time 
childlike  ;  and  in  his  camp  deportment  there  was  a  strange 
union  of  sternness  and  gentleness.  He  was  loved  by  his 
soldiers,  not  coldly,  as  men  love  men,  but  tenderly  and  in 
tensely,  as  men  love  women.  He  was  as  perfect  an  em 
bodiment  as  the  Republic  affords  of  the  patriotism,  the  in 
tegrity,  the  sobriety,  the  magnanimity,  the  virtue,  and  the 
valor  of  the  American  citizen-soldier, —  bred  from  youth 
up  to  the  calling  of  arms,  and  gifted  with  the  bravery,  judg-. 
ment,  and  modesty  of  the  knights  of  old,  who  sat  at  King 
Arthur's  Round  Table. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Woodbury,  who  knew  him  so  well,  speaks 
of  the  love  and  respect,  as  well  as  confidence,  entertained 
towards  General  Burnside  by  the  soldiers,  especially  those 
who  served  in  the  Ninth  Army  Corps.  As  had  been  the 
case  when  he  was  moving  among  them,  in  camp  or  on  the 
march,  when  they  met  him  in  civil  life  there  was  always  a 
cheer  for  "Old  Burney,"  and  the  soldiers  now  love  to  tell 
of  the  cheerful  smile  that  brightened  up  his  countenance 


(i EX.    AMBROSE    E.    BURNSIDE. 

as  he  lifted  his  broad-brimmed  felt  hat  and  returned  their 
salute.  They  had  no  reason  for  calling  him  "  old,"  ex 
cept  as  an  expression  of  their  affection,  for  he  was  only 
forty-one  years  of  age  when  the  war  ended.  The  love 
they  had  for  their  commander  tightened  the  bonds  of  com 
radeship  throughout  the  corps,  and  united  the  officers  and 
men  very  closely  together.  Mr.  Woodbury  has  also  borne 
testimony  to  the  kind  considerateness  which  General  Burn- 
side  always  showed  towards  others,  and  especially  towards 
those  in  humble  life. 

The  general's  faithful  colored  servant,  who  had  accom 
panied  him  on  his  ride  across  the  plains  and  throughout 
the  war,  was  always  treated  by  him  more  like  a  brother 
than  a  domestic.  Toward  those  wrho  were  at  service  in 
the  families  of  his  friends  there  was  always  the  same 
friendly  courtesy.  He  recognized  and  greeted  them  on 
the  street,  taking  off  his  hat  to  them  as  to  a  lady  or  gentle 
man  of  his  acquaintance,  or  taking  them  by  the  hand  and 
speaking  a  kindly  word.  He  seldom,  if  ever,  left  his 
home,  to  be  away  even  for  a  day  or  two,  without  going 
into  the  kitchen  to  bid  good-bye  to  those  in  his  own  employ  ; 
and  they  said,  when  he  was  no  more,  that  they  had  lost 
their  best  friend.  He  remembered  their  birthdays,  and 
certain  anniversaries  in  their  lives  or  his  own,  and  had 
some  little  gift  or  token  of  remembrance  ready  for  them. 
The  kind-hearted  gentleman,  courted  and  admired  by  the 
best  society  in  the  land,  never  forgot  to  be  courteous  and 
helpful  to  the  humblest  dependent.  It  was  the  natural 
expression  of  his  generous  heart. 

Among  many  other  instances  of  General  Burnside's 
goodness  of  heart,  the  following  was  narrated  in  the  New 
York  Sun  at  the  time  :  A  laborer  who  was  at  work  upon 
a  new  pavement  on  the  Fifth  Avenue,  near  Twentieth 


278 


LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


Street,  in  that  city,  was  prostrated  by  heat,  and  fell  near 
the  curb-stone.  No  other  workmen  were  near  at  hand, 
but  General  Burnside,  who  happened  to  be  passing,  having 
seen  him  fall,  hastened  to  his  relief  and  aided  in  placing 
him  in  an  easier  position  on  the  sidewalk.  The  general 
then  stopped  a  passing  ice-cart  and  obtained  ice  which  he 
applied  to  the  poor  man's  head  and  hands.  By  this  time 
a  multitude  began  to  collect,  but  no  policemen  were  in 
sight.  After  putting  the  sufferer  in  an  easier  position  and 
requesting  the  throng  to  stand  back  and  give  him  the 
benefit  of  the  little  air  there  was,  the  general  himself  went 
to  the  Union  Club  for  a  physician,  and  returned  to  look 
after  his  charge.  "  Our  reporter,"  said  the  newspaper 
paragraph,  "  knew;  the  modest  gentleman  who  was  taking 
such  an  interest  in  the  laborer,  but  the  spectators  did  not 
dream  that  the  generous  stranger  was  the  distinguished 
citizen  who  led  Rhode  Island  to  the  war." 

Just  before  the  expiration  of  General  Burnside's  third 
term  as  governor  of  Rhode  Island,  and  after  he  had  per 
emptorily  declined  a  re-nomination,  he  was  unexpectedly 
assailed  in  the  United  States  Senate,  in  a  speech  delivered 
by  ex-Governor  William  Sprague,  then  a  Senator  from 
Rhode  Island.  Stimulated,  doubtless,  by  financial  embar 
rassment  which  subsequently  resulted  in  bankruptcy. 
Mr.  Sprague  recounted,  in  doleful  jeremiad,  the  financial 
disasters  which  were  threatening  the  country.  These  dan 
gers,  he  asserted,  were  caused  by  the  pernicious  influence 
.of  those  who  control  capital  on  legislation,  society,  busi 
ness,  and  even  the  fortunes  of  war.  Selecting  the  time- 
honored  house  of  Brown  &  Ives,  of  Providence,  as  an 
illustration,  he  proceeded  to  denounce  that  firm,  and  finally 
held  it  responsible  for  the  reverses  of  the  United  States 
forces  at  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run.  Nor  was  this  all. 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 

He  arraigned  the  First  Rhode  Island  Regiment  as  cow 
ards,  and  their  commander,  General  Burnside,  as  incom 
petent,  and  only  anxious  to  save  the  lives  of  the  rich  men 
under  him. 

Senator  Anthony,  of  Rhode  Island,  took  the  floor  at  the 
earliest  possible  moment,  and  replied  in  scathing  language 
to  the  extraordinary  speech  of  his  colleague.  He  said  that 
he  could  be  silent  under  crude  theories  of  political  economy, 
and  exploded  schemes  of  finance  ;  he  could  be  silent  under 
long  extracts  from  history  and  biography,  and  any  incon 
sequential  and  unconnected  comments  upon  them  ;  he 
could  remain  silent  under  personal  aspersions,  but  he 
would  not  remain  silent  when  men  among  the  most  re 
spectable  of  his  constituents  are  assailed,  and  when  the 
honor  of  Rhode  Island  is  insulted.  . 

After  paying  an  elaborate  tribute  to  the  business  career  of 
the  long-established  house  of  Brown  &  Ives,  Mr.  Anthony 
spoke  of  them  as  "  rich  without  ostentation,  powerful 
without  arrogance,  and  enjoying  a  political  influence 
which  they  use  for  what  they  deem  the  public  good,  and 
not  for  their  own  personal  ambition.  Their  prosperity  is 
not  based  upon  the  ruin  of  their  neighbors."  He  then 
went  on  to  remark  : 

But  individuals  are  not  sufficient  to  gratify  the  vengeance  of  my  col 
league.  He  assails  the  whole  State,  by  charging  the  First  Regiment 
with  pusillanimity  and  Burnside  with  incompetency,  if  not  with  coward 
ice.  Burnside  incompetent!  What  does  Tennessee  say  to  that?  What 
does  Indiana  say  to  that?  What  does  Ohio  sav  to  that?  What  does 
North  Carolina  say  to  that?  I  know  what  Rhode  Island  will  say  to  it 
The  First  Regiment  fills  one  of  the  proudest  chapters  in  the  history  of 
Rhode  Island.  Springing  to  arms  at  the  sound  of  the  first  gun  on  Sum- 
ter,  it  was  composed  of  some  of  the  finest  young  men  in  the  State.  They 
came  from  all  classes  and  conditions  of  our  people.  The  millionaire 
stood  shoulder  to  shoulder  with  the  mechanic,  the  student  with  the  plow- 
bov,  each  respecting  the  other,  all  animated  bv  a  common  purpose  and 


280  LIFE   AXD   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

burning  with  ;i  common  patriotism.  And  though  the  unfortunate  field 
of  Bull  Run  was  lost,  it  was  lost  by  lack  of  discipline  and  military  expe 
rience,  not  by  lack  of  valor  on  the  part  of  the  Rhode  Island  troops  or  of 
the  gallant  soldier  who  led  them.  I  shall  not  detain  the  Senate  with  any 
defense  of  them  or  of  their  leader.  It  is  not  necessary  here ;  at  home  I 
would  as  soon  attempt  to  prove  the  multiplication  table.  He  who  has 
assailed  them  is  the  one  who  needs  defense. 

A  few  days  afterwards,  Senator  Nye,  returning  to 
Washington,  read  the  remarks  made  by  Governor  Sprague 
in  his  absence,  and  replied  to  them  with  humorous  elo 
quence.  He  caused  to  be  read,  by  the  secretary,  the 
letter  from  Governor  Sprague,  transmitting  the  resolution 
of  thanks  to  General  Burnside  and  to  his  command,  and 
said : 

This  letter  is  not  only  a  letter  of  approbation,  but  a  subsequent  one, 
which  I  also  have,  conveyed  to  the  warrior  upon  the  distant  field  an 
emblem  of  his  profession,  purchased  by  the  honorable  Senator  himself 
by  the  authority  of  the  Legislature  of  Rhode  Island,  which  he  commis 
sioned  a  brave  soldier  to  deliver  upon  the  field  of  battle.  It  was  a  sword 
to  Burnside,  and  never  was  fitter  emblem  sent.  His  history  is  written  in 
blood  on  cverv  battle-field  of  the  Potomac;  and  Knoxville  will  forever 
attest  to  the  bravery  of  Burnside.  He  hurled  back  and  kept  in  abeyance 
at  least  three  times  his  number  headed  by  Longstreet,  until  was  heard 
the  tread  of  coining  thousands  to  his  relief,  and  Knoxville  was  saved. 
Sir,  whatever  field  he  attempted  to  save  was  saved,  if  it  was  in  the  power 
of  bravery  and  endurance  to  save  it.  Tell  not,  then,  that  he  was  unfor 
tunate  at  Bull  Run.  He  was  not  in  command.  The  commander  was 
another  honored  name  who,  by  that  cloud,  lost  much  of  the  preeminence 
to  which  he  was  entitled  as  a  military  man  of  this  Nation;  I  refer  to 
General  McDowell,  for  he  is  second  to  none  in  his  acquirements  and 
skill  in  the  art  of  war.  He  was  unfortunate  in  that  battle  that  Almighty 
God  foreordained  we  should  be  unfortunate  in.  Burnside,  too,  was 
unfortunate  at  Fredericksburg.  The  proudest  general  of  this  Nation, 
and  one  from  whose  diadem  even  the  Senator  from  Rhode  Island  would 
not  dare  Attempt  to  pluck  one  jewel,  was  unfortunate  at  Vicksburg;  but 
who  doubted  the  bravery,  who  doubted  the  patriotism,  who  doubted  the 
skill  of  the  indomitable  and  fiery  Sherman  ?  He  was  overmatched.  And 
at  Fredericksburg,  when  Burnside  hurled  his  columns  against  those 
deadly  walls,  the  very  air  was  redolent  with  the  shouts  of  his  soldiers. 


Ci  EX.    AMU  HOSE   E.    BURNS  IDE.  28 1 

Braver  MICH  never  lived  and  never  died;  and  never  were  men  more  gal- 
luntlv  led.  They  were  overnuir.bered  ;  the  enemy  had  their  entrench 
ments;  and  the  crushing  hones  and  the  gaping  wounds  and  the  bloody 
fields  on  that  dav  told  the  storv  of  their  bravery.  I  was  shocked,  there 
fore,  when  I  heard  the  attempt,  in  these  after  years,  to  pluck  a  laurel  from 
the  brow  of  a  Burnside. 

Senator  Chandler,  "Honest  old  Zach.,"  also  bore  testi 
mony  to  the  behavior  of  General  Burnside  as  an  "hon 
orable,  modest,  high-toned,  loyal,  brave  soldier."  Said 
he: 

It  was  mv  fortune  three  times,  as  a  member  of  the  Committee  on  the 
Conduct  of  the  War,  to  investigate  three  several  battles  in  which  Gen 
eral  Burnside  fought;  one  in  which  he  had  supreme  command,  and  two 
others  in  which  he  had  a  subordinate  command.  I  can  also  state  that 
General  Burnside  was  several  times  before  the  Committee  on  the  Con 
duct  of  the  War  as  a  witness,  and  I  but  express  the  opinion  of  every  mem 
ber  of  that  committee  when  I  say  that  a  braver,  truer,  or  more  patriotic 
man  than  General  Burnside  never  drew  a  sword.  This  has  been  the  tes- 
timonv  of  everv  officer  I  have  heard  allude  to  General  Burnside,  from  the 
highest  in  command  in  the  army  down  to  the  lowest  who  served  under 
him.  I  desire  to  state  further,  that  in  his  armv  and  under  his  command, 
1  believe,  from  and  after  he  became  a  major-general,  he  had  Michigan 
troops  always,  and  they  all  bear  the  self-same  testimony. 

Senator  Abbott,  of  North  Carolina,  said  that  he  was 
greatly  pained  when  a  Senator,  availing  himself  of  his 
privileges,  had  assailed  the  military  character  of  Rhode 
Island's  troops,  and  that  of  Rhode  Island's  greatest  officer. 
In  various  service,  General  Burnside  had  maintained  as 
much,  if  not  more  than  any  other  man,  the  character  of  a 
patriotic,  unselfish,  gallant,  judicial,  and  modest  soldier. 
He  then  went  on  to  say  that : 

Upon  his  character  the  government  has  set  its  seal,  lor  from  his  suc 
cessful  campaign  in  North  Carolina,  where  he  held  a  territory  greater 
than  that  of  his  own  state,  he  was  transferred  to  Kentucky  and  Ten 
nessee,  and  from  Kentuckv  to  the  higher  command  of  the  Armv  of  the 


282  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

Potomac.  Resigning  that,  he  joined  in  1864,  at  the  head  of  a  corps  forty- 
five  thousand  strong,  that  great  army  which  first  struck  the  enemy  at  the 
Wilderness,  and  ultimately  encircled  Petersburg;  and  finally,  he  entered 
Richmond  on  the  extreme  right  of  Grant's  line.  With  all  this,  thus 
briefly  recounted,  the  country  is  familiar  in  detail.  His  name  is  not  only 
familiar  in  New  England,  but  in  the  South  and  bevond  the  Alleghanies, 
where  his  columns  pushed  the  enemv,  and  where  his  kindness  to  the 
people  softened  the  rigors  of  war.  lie  did  not  retire  from  the  service 
after  the  first  disastrous  battle,  nor  is  he  now  arraigning  his  old  command 
at  Bull  Run  for  cowardice  ;  but  he  stood  through,  with  unsheathed  sabre, 
until  the  last  gun  was  fired,  and  until  the  flag  again  waved  undisputed. 
Xow,  the  governor  of  a  state,  he  is  not  filling  the  air  with  incoherent 
ravings  over  evils  which  are  imaginary,  but  stands  among  his  people  in 
the  quiet  dignity  of  a  Christian  citizen.  I  do  not  know  that  he  parades 
his  private  business  in  state  papers.  Perhaps  he  may  not  employ  ten 
thousand  men,  nor  scheme  to  build  up  his  own  business  upon  the  ruin  of 
his  neighbors',  but  we  know  that  the  hearts  of  ten  times  ten  thousand 
men  beat  kindly  and  gratefully  toward  him.  Nature  has  not  been  nig 
gardly  to  him,  but  she  has  been  generous,  endowing  him  with  a  full  body 
and  a  great  heart  and  a  comprehensive  brain,  so  that  if  he  indeed  were 
one  of  those  nine  davs'  heroes  whose  fame  rests  upon  a  single  exploit,  he 
would  not  lose  his  small  reputation  by  an  undue  exhibition  of  imbecilitv. 

Senator  Morton,  one  of  Lincoln's  "  War  Governors," 
bore  the  following  testimony  to  General  Burnside,  with 
whom  he  had  enjoyed  a  life-acquaintance  : 

Mr.  President:  Mv  early  association  with  General  Burnside  is  sufficient 
apology  for  speaking  a  few  words.  We  were  born  within  a  few  miles  of  each 
other,  in  the  State  of  Indiana,  and  for  years  lived  in  the  same  town  and 
were  boyish  friends  and  companions.  "  The  boy  was  father  to  the  man." 
As  a  boy  he  was  distinguished  for  courage  and  kindness,  and  was  beloved 
by  all  of  his  bovish  companions.  From  our  town  he  went  to  West  Point, 
and  I  followed  his  career  from  West  Point  into  the  army  with  interest 
and  affection.  From  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  from  his  first  great  triumph 
at  Roanoke  to  his  crowning  victory  at  Knoxville,  his  career  was  distin 
guished  by  courage,  skill,  patriotism,  and  humanity.  The  bravest  act, 
however,  of  his  life  was  after  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg.  When  the 
press  of  the  country  was  busy  in  showing  that  General  Burnside  was 
not  responsible  for  that  disaster,  was  busy  in  laying  the  blame  upon 
others  and  showing  that  there  had  been  sad  blundering,  if  not  treason, 
in  his  camp,  he  said  to  the  committee  and  to  the  world,  "  The  responsi- 


AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE. 


283 


bility  is  mine."  When  he  spoke  those  words  the  Nation  forgot  the  dis 
aster,  and  he  was  at  once  restored  to  the  national  heart  and  the  national 
confidence.  Sir,  the  State  of  Indiana  takes  pride  in  General  Burnside, 
and  high  upon  the  national  roll  of  honor  his  name  is  inscribed,  to 
he  read  with  pleasure,  affection,  and  admiration  by  all  coming  genera 
tions. 

Nearly  five"  thousand  citizens  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Is 
land  signed  a  letter  addressed  to  General  Burnside,  in 
which  they  denounced  the  remarks  of  Senator  Sprague  as 
having  wantonly  and  maliciously  assailed  the  officers  and 
soldiers  of  Rhode  Island  before  the  whole  country.  "  We 
feel,"  said  the  writers,  "  that' a  great  wrong  has  been  done 
to  you  and  to  the  brave  men,  both  the  living  and  the  dead, 
who  served  with  you  in  the  army  of  the  Republic  ;  and 
also  that  the  military  honor  of  Rhode  Island  has  been  deeply 
wounded,  and  the  fair  fame  of  the  State  foully  traduced  in 
the  national  Senate  at  Washington  by  one  who  was  bound 
to  cherish  and  protect  them.  For  the  purpose,  therefore, 
of  rebuking  these  atrocious  calumnies,  and  of  renewing 
both  to  you  and  to  those  who  served  with  you  the  expres 
sion  of  our  undiminished  gratitude,  confidence,  and  respect, 
we  hereby  invite  you  to  name  a  day,  at  your  own  conven 
ience,  on  which  you  will  meet  us  and  others  of  your  fel 
low-citizens,  at  a  public  reception  in  the  city  of  Provi 
dence." 

General  Burnside  replied  to  this  letter,  and  after  declin 
ing  the  invitation,  he  went  on  to  show  that  the  attack  of 
Mr.  Sprague  on  the  First  Regiment  was  "unprovoked, 
unjustifiable,  and  untruthful."  "With  reference  to  the 
personal  charges  against  me,  I  have  nothing  to  say.  My 
conduct  is  well  known  to  my  comrades  and  to  the  people  ; 
my  character  and  reputation  must  rest  upon  their  testimony, 
and  not  on  any  statement  of  mine."  "What  has  induced 
Mr.  Sprague  to  make  this  outrageous  attack  upon  me  and 


284  GEX.    AMKlfOSE   E.    HL'RXSIDE. 

my  regiment  I  do  not  know.  To  you,  my  fellow-citizens 
and  comrades,  I  shall  ever  be  grateful  for  this  renewed 
expression  of  friendship  and  support.  It  adds  one  more 
to  the  many  obligations  due  from  me  for  your  numerous 
acts  of  kindness." 

The  Ninth  Army  Corps  had  its  first  annual  reunion  at 
Rocky  Point  on  the  yth  of  July,  1869.  It  was  largely  at 
tended,  and  it  concluded  with  a  banquet,  at  which  Gen 
eral  Burnside  presided.  He  declined,  however,  making  a 
speech.  Those  present,  he  said,  all  knew  how  glad  he 
was  to  see  them,  and  it  would  be  folly  for  him  to  talk  to 
them  of  the  Ninth  Corps  and  the  Burnside  Expedition. 
They  were  so  well  known  to  every  man  within  the  sound 
of  his  voice  that  he  would  not  attempt  to  speak  of  them. 
He  cordially  thanked  them  for  the  cordial  manner  in  which 
they  received  him,  and  begged  to  be  excused. 

Meanwhile  contractors  had  been  at  work  constructing 

O 

the  Cairo  and  Vincennes  Railroad,  and  up  to  the  ist  of 
July,  1869,  work  amounting  to  upwards  of  half  a  million 
dollars  had  been  done.  To  this  point  General  Burnside 
had  carried  on  the  construction  by  the  sale  of  bonds  and 
his  individual  credit, "but  just  when  he  had  strained,  his 
credit  to  its  utmost  point,  the  railroad  companies  refused 
to  execute  the  contract  agreed  upon,  and  work  was  tem 
porarily  suspended.  In  the  following  November,  General 
Burnside  had  so  arranged  his  business  that  he  was  able  to 
devote  himself  to  the  affairs  of  this  road,  and  went  to 
London,  where  he  hoped  to  negotiate  a  sufficient  amount 
of  bonds  to  finish  it. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


UNSUCCESSFUL  VISIT  TO  LONDON'  —  GOES  TO  PARIS  TO  WITNESS  THE 
SIEGE  OF  THAT  CITY— IS  .MADE  PRISONER  ATA  SAXON  OUT 
POST— DR.  RUSSELL'S  ACCOUNT  OF  VERSAILLES  AND  THE  GER 
MAN  LEADERS  —  FONDNESS  OF  BISMARCK  FOR  BURNSIDE  — 
VISITS  PARIS  UNDER  A  FLAG  OF  TRUCE -THE  BESIEGED  CITY 
—  SECOND  VISIT  — RETURN  TO  LONDON. 

GENERAL  BURNSIDE  was  in  London,  negotiat 
ing  for  the  sale  of  the  bonds  of  the  Covington  and 
Vincennes  Railroad,  when  the  declaration  of  war 
between  France  and  Germany  deranged  the  English  money 
market,  and  made  it  impossible  to  place  American  securi 
ties.  General  Burnside  was  cordially  received  by  the 
leading  statesmen  and  soldiers  of  Great  Britain.  He  was 
made  an  honorary  member  of  several  of  the  London  clubs, 
and  was  not  only  invited  to  the  fashionable  city  entertain 
ments,  but  to  the  country  houses,  so  justly  famed  as  "  the 
rural  homes  of  England.''  As  the  German  army  defeated 
the  French  and  advanced  on  Paris,  General  Burnside  felt 
a  strong  desire  to  witness  the  hostilities  between  these  two 

O 

great  powers,  and  rinallv  left  for  the  headquarters  of  the 


286  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

King  of  Prussia,  at  Versailles.  Mr..  Alexander  Forbes, 
celebrated  as  a  war  correspondent  and  as  a  lecturer,  has 
kindly  furnished  for  this  work  the  following  account  of 
General  Burnside's  first  introduction  to  the  German  Army 
before  Paris  : 

General  Burnside  and  Brigadier-General  Dufi".  U.  S.  V. ,  who  repre 
sented  the  New  York  Herald  (and  who,  by  the  way,  was  a  brother  of  the 
late  Ardrew  Halliday,  the  dramatic  author),  were  struggling  their  way 
from  Lagny,  the  interior  terminus  of  the  Chcmin  dc.  fcr  dc  VE$t,  about 
twenty  miles  east  of  Paris,  toward  the  front.  The  Saxon  Army  Corps 
(Twelfth  German  Army)  occupied  that  section  of  the  environment  ris 
ing  due  east  of  Paris,  from  about  Lc  Blanc  Mcsiiil  south  to  Villicrs  le 
Bel.  The  two  Americans,  forging  straight  to  their  own  front  as  if  they 
had  been  on  the  prairie,  struck  from  the  rear  the  covering flicynets  of  the 
Saxon  corps.  They  had  no  "  laisser  passer"  of  a  kind  to  be  accepted  as 
satisfactory ;  they  could  speak  no  German ;  they  were  eminently  suspi 
cious-looking  characters,  in  flannel  shirts,  flap  hats,  and  mud  galore.  So 
they  were  summarily  apprehended.  But  the  Saxons  are  a  courteous  peo 
ple,  and  an  officer  sent  them  on  to  the  headquarters,  in  LcVert  Gallant, 
of  Prince  George  of  Saxony,  who  commanded  the  Saxon  corps.  They 
looked  not  a  little  mean,  as,  travel-stained  and  embarrassed,  they  were 
brought  into  the  drawing-room  of  the  Prince's  chateau,  just  as  the  suite 
and  staff  had  gathered  for  dinner.  But  Prince  George,  a  man  of  the  world, 
at  once  recognized  the  situation;  had  seats  prepared  for  them,  one  on 
either  side  of  himself;  gave  them  quarters  for  the  night,  and  dulv  for 
warded  them  next  day  to  Versailles.  Bismarck,  from  the  first,  conceived 
a  curious,  magnetic  regard  for  Burnside.  He  was  ahvavs  trying  to  be 
with  him,  and  would  smoke  and  gossip  with  him  by  the  hour.  There  was 
some  affinitv  in  the  straightforward,  rugged  bluntness  of  the  two  men, 
apparently.  If  Burnside  cared  he  could  have  thrown  some  curious  side 
lights  on  the  story  of  the  motives  and  springs  of  that  Franco-German 
war,  derived  from  Bismarck's  free  speaking.  I  do  believe  that  Generals 
Burnside  and  Sheridan  had  more  of  Bismarck's  confidence  —  almost  bru- 
tallv  frank  and  cynical  as  it  was —  than  any  other  persons  who  were  spec 
tators  of  the  momentous  melo-drama. 

Dr.  Russell  (of  Bull  Run  fame),  in  a  letter  to  the 
London  Times,  written  soon  after  General  Burnside's  ar 
rival  at  Versailles,  gives  the  following  graphic  picture  of 


GEX.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE.  28y 

the  Prussian   headquarters  where   General   Burnside  met 
General  Sheridan,  General  Hazen,  and  General  Forsyth  : 

The  foliage  is  no\v  in  its  greatest  beauty,  but  the  slightest  touch  of 
the  invisible  fingers  of  the  wind  scatters  the  leaves  in  showers,  and  thins 
the  screen  of  rich  russet,  orange,  red,  and  brown  which  jet  hides  the 
trunks  and  branches  of  the  forest  trees.  There  was  a  living  margin  to 
the  two  parterres,  clear  of  people,  to  whom  the  fish  were  an  attraction, 
and  the  Altec  dc  VOrangcrie  and  the  Allee  dcs  Trot's  Fontaines  were 
filled  with  saunterers.  Another  mass,  tolerably  compact,  grew  up  along 
the  front  of  the  terrace,  enjoying  the  spectacle  of  their  fellows  below,  and 
looking  out  on  the  Tapis,  Vert  of  the  Grand  Canal,  in  placid  enjoyment 
of  a  scene  not  often  to  be  met  with  amid  the  realities  of  war.  These 
became  animated  and  excited,  particularly  the  French,  when  some  great 
people  arrived,  just  dropping  in  without  formality  or  attendance — no 
aides,  or  officers  of  ordnance,  or  orderlies  —  and  walked  about,  or  stood 
chatting  with  their  friends.  "Is  that  really  Von  Moltke?"  "  Where?" 
"You  see  that  tall,  thin  man,  without  any  mustache  or  whiskers,  his 
hands  behind  his  back — the  officer  with  the  grayish  hair,  very  short, 
and  a  face  cut  with  many  fine  lines,  his  head  slightly  stooped,  the  eye 
brows  pronounced,  and  the  eyes  deep  set?  There  is  the  man  whom  the 
Junkers  of  Berlin  called  '  the  old  schoolmaster.'  What  a  lesson  he  has 
taught  Austrians  and  French  !  "  "  Is  that  the  strategist  who  caught 
Benedek  in  a  vise  at  Kdniggriitz,  mouse-trapped  Bazaine  at  Metz,  and 
netted  an  emperor,  a  marshal  of  France,  and  150,000  men  at  Sedan,  and 
who  is  now  angling  for  such  an  enormous  prize  as  the  capital  of  France  ?" 
"  He  looks  very  grave."  "  He  is  always  so.  But  there,  you  see,  striding 
through  the  crowd,  is  a  very  different-looking  person."  "Yes!  who  is 
that  frank,  smiling  major  of  dragoons?  He  comes  this  way — the  officer 
in  the  white  cap  and  yellow  band,  dark  blue  or  nearly  black  double- 
breasted  frock-coat  with  yellow  collar,  taller  than  the  tall  officers  around 
him?"  "That  is  Count  Bismarck!"  There  is  a  stir  wherever  he  goes  — 
caps  touched  and  hats  raised.  He  makes  straight  for  a  little  knot  of 
Americans  —  General  Burnside  in  plain  clothes,  General  Sheridan,  Gen 
eral  Hazen,  and  General  Forsyth  in  uniform,  but  without  swords.  You 
hear  his  laugh  above  the  murmurs  of  the  crowd  and  the  wave  of  sound  in 
which  his  name,  "  Bismarck,"  is  borne.  How  heartily  he  shakes  hands 
with  them,  buoyant  and  free,  elated  as  some  officer  might  be  who  had 
just  won  promotion  on  a  battle-field.  All  the  world  knows  the  soulless 
likeness,  out  of  which  even  photography  has  failed,  however,  to  take  all 
expression;  but  one  must  have  actual  experience  of  the  peculiar  vivacity, 
or  rather  penetration,  of  his  glance,  as  it  is  emitted  from  under  those 


288  LIFE  AXD   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

tremendous  shaggy  eyebrows,  to  measure  the  power  of  his;  face  —  the  one 
grand,  overwhelming  force  of  which  is,  to  my  mind,  intrepidity  —  an 
immense,  audacious  courage,  physical  and  mental,  and  a  will  before 
which  every  obstacle  must  vield  or  be  turned. 


Count  Bismarck  invited  General  Burnside  to  his  quar 
ters,  which  were  in  a  house  in  one  of  the  darkest  streets  of 
dismal  Versailles.  In  the  ante-rooms  were  a  dozen  clerks 
writing  or  filing  papers.  The  room  in  which  Count  Bis 
marck  received  his  visitors  was  full  of  tobacco-smoke,  and 
uncomfortably  warm.  Two  candles,  stuck  into  bottles, 
were  standing  on  the  mantel-piece.  In  the  middle  of  the 
room  was  a  ricketv  table  on  which  were  placed  a  jug  of 
beer,  several  bottles  of  wine,  and  some  silver  tankards. 
Count  Bismarck  spoke  very  freely  of  public  affairs.  "  It 
is  merely  the  self-love  of  the  Parisians,"  said  he,  "  which 
prevents  them  from  surrendering.  We  will  wait,  if  neces 
sary-  We  will  enter  Paris.  The  king  has  quite  made  up 
his  mind,  although  he  wants  to  spare  the  Parisians  as  much 
as  possible,  not  to  sign  peace  except  at  the  Tuileries. 
Whatever  may  be  our  conditions  of  peace,  France  is  too 
vain,  however,  to  forgive  us  for  her  defeats.  She  would 
in  any  case  make  war  against  us  as  soon  as  she  was  strong 
enough.  Our  policy,  in  the  interests  both  of  Germany 
and  of  all  Europe,  must  therefore  be,  to  diminish  the  terri 
tory  of  France  as  much  as  possible,  so  as  to  make  her  un 
able,  for  a  long  time,  to  disturb  the  general  peace.  As  to 
the  proposed  armistice  of  Alsace  and  Lorraine,  that  is 
the  will  of  the  king,  which  is  enough.  The  French,  ac 
customed  to  be  the  plavthino-  of  adventurers,  cannot  under- 

I         ./  O 

stand  our  respect  for  a  monarchy.  In  Prussia  there  is  no 
will  but  that  of  the  king.  I  am  only  the  instrument  of 
his  political  will,  as  the  generals  are  the  instruments  ol 
his  military  will.  When  His  Majesty  expresses  a  wish  it 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE.  28o 

is  my  duty  to  propose  the  means  of  realizing  it,  and  it  is  my 
glory  sometimes  to  succeed  in  this  task.  At  this  moment, 
however,  my  actions  are  absolutely  subordinate  to  those 
of  the  military  leaders,  who  are  not  always  of  my  opinion." 

Count  Bismarck  (wrote  Dr.  Russell  to  the  London 
Times']  likes  Burnside.  Indeed,  there  are  few  persons  of 
any  nation  who  will  not  be  touched  by  the  cordial  nature 
and  uprightness  of  the  man,  by  his  solid  good  sense  and 
kindliness  of  nature,  and  by  his  clearness  of  perception, 
un marred  by  selfishness,  or  any  affectation  of  statesman 
ship,  which  is  perhaps  the  highest  diplomacy.  Count 
Bismarck  has  a  -penchant  for  Americans  of  a  certain  high 
stamp.  He  says,  "I  like  self-made  men.  It  is  the  best 
sort  of  manufacture  in  our  race." 

The  result  of  these  interviews  was  a  visit  by  General 
Burnside  to  Paris,  accompanied  by  Paul  Forbes,  Esq. 
On  the  2d  of  October,  1870,  they  were  driven  in  an  open 
carriage,  accompanied  by  a  trumpeter  and  a  flag  of  truce, 
from  the  French  outpost,  at  Sevres,  to  the  bank  of  the 
Seine.  After  a  "parley"  they  were  taken  across  in  a  boat 
to  the  other  side  of  the  river,  where  they  were  met  by 
some  French  officers.  The  officer  in  charge  of  the  post 
there  would  not  take  the  responsibility  of  permitting  Gen 
eral  Burnside  to  enter  the  city,  and  sent  a  dispatch  to  the 
governor  of  Paris,  asking  for  instructions.  After  a  deten 
tion  of  an  hour  or  two,  the  answer  came  that  they  might 
proceed.  They  were  blindfolded  and  accompanied  by  an 
officer  waving  a  white  flag,  while  on  one  side  rode  a 
mounted  trumpeter,  blowing  lustily  from  time  to  time.  In 
this  way  they  advanced  to  Long  Champs  (about  five  miles 
from  Paris),  where  they  were  stopped  in  an  unpleasant 
manner,  eight  shots  being  fired  at  them  in  rapid  succession. 
Their  trumpeter  sounded  his  trumpet,  and  their  officer 

19 


290  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

waved  his  flag.  Mr.  Forbes,  who  had  seen  all  sorts  of 
things,  "from  China  to  Peru,"  as  the  poet  says,  declared 
that  the  next  fifteen  minutes  were  very  solemn,  as  they 
waited  in  a  death-like  stillness  for  the  answering  trumpet. 
At  last  it  sounded,  and  then  a  French  officer  came  out  of 
the  entrenchments  and  escorted  them  into  Paris.  No  news 
had  been  received  in  that  great  city  from  without  for  a 
whole  fortnight.  Everybody  and  anybody  flocked  around 
them,  and  they  were  escorted  to  quarters  in  the  villa  of 
Baron  Rothschild,  situated  in  the  suburbs. 

After  twelve  o'clock  that  night  a  carriage  arrived  from 
General  Trochu  to  take  them  to  see  him,  but  General 
Burnside  had  gone  to  bed,  and  they  did  not  set  out  until 
six  o'clock  the  next  morning,  when  they  were  driven  to 
the  Louvre,  where  the  general  had  his  quarters.  They 
then  went  to  see  Mr.  Washburne,  the  Minister  of  the 
United  States,  who  accompanied  them  to  the  Bureau  of 
Foreign  Affairs,  where  General  Burnside  had  an  interview 
with  Monsieur  Jules  Favre.  The  general  informally  pro 
posed  an  armistice  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  the  French 
people  to  elect  a  constituent  assembly.  Prussia  evidently 
wanted  a  more  substantial  power  to  treat  with  than  a  pro 
visional  government,  which  then  ruled  Paris.  Monsieur 
Favre  thought  well  of  the  proposition,  and  it  was  evident 
that  he  did  not  wish  the  provisional  government  to  take  the 
responsibility  of  making  a  treaty,  but  desired  that  any 
treaty  negotiated  should  emanate  directly  from  the  French 
people,  acting  through  a  constituent  assembly.  Mr. 
Washburne  (who  had  bravely  remained  at  his  post) 
requested  General  Burnside  to  obtain  from  Count  Bis 
marck  permission  for  a  number  of  American  citizens  to 
pass  out  of  Paris.  Among  those  desirous  of  going  away 
were  many  who,  cut  oft'  from  their  communication  with 


GEN.   AMBROSE  E.   BURNSIDE.  291 

home,  were  without  funds,  and  had  no  means  whatever  of 
leaving,  their  condition  having  become  deplorable  in  the 
extreme. 

The  following  day  General  Burnside  and  Mr.  Forbes 
returned  as  they  came,  and  while  they  were  waiting  on 
the  French  side  of  the  Seine  for  some  necessary  prelimin 
aries,  the  incident  occurred  which  has  been  magnified 
into  a  deliberate  firing  on  his  trumpeter  and  flag  of  truce. 
The  French  troops  were  at  dinner  within  a  crenelated  wall 
close  to  the  river,  when  a  random  shot  from  the  Prussian 
outposts  was  heard,  and  a  ball  struck  the  wall  so  close 
to  the  party  that  Colonel  Forbes  went  out  and  picked  it 
lip.  The  French  rushed  to  their  arms,  exclaiming,  "They 
have  fired  on  us  !  "  and  declared  they  heard  balls  among 
the  trees  above,  but  General  Burnside  was  sure  it  was  a  mis 
take.  As  they  were  going  over,  the  French  officer  on 
duty  called  from  the  end  of  the  broken  arch  of  the  bridge 
to  Captain  Von  Bissing,  a  most  excellent  officer  and  per 
fect  gentleman,  who  was  sent  by  the  Crown  Prince  to 
receive  General  Burnside,  that  he  would  have  a  shot,  as 
his  men  had  been  fired  upon,  and  as  they  were  waiting 
for  the  carriage  a  ball  whistled  by,  very  close  to  the  trum 
peter. 

After  having  several  interviews  with  Count  Bismarck, 
General  Burnside,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Forbes,  again  vis 
ited  the  "  beleaguered  city."  He  was  this  time  authorized 
to  suggest  to  Monsieur  Jules  Favre  that  he  would  yield  the 
question  of  the  forts,  and  would  grant  an  absolute  armis 
tice  of  forty-eight  hours  for  holding  an  election,  and  give 
every  facility  for  a  fair  election,  for  the  distribution  of  tick 
ets  and  circulars  for  the  committee  to  go  out  of  Paris,  as 
well  as  for  the  departure  of  the  members  elected  from  the 
city  of  Paris,  and  to  render  passes  wherever  the  conven- 


292  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

tion  should  be  held,  etc.  In  addition,  it  was  suggested 
that  a  sort  of  semi-armistice  might  be  agreed  upon,  to  ex 
tend  over  a  sufficient  time  to  permit  the  convention  to  be 
held  —  that  is  to  say,  that  there  should  be  no  firing;  but 
that  the  Prussians  should  be  permitted  to  bring  up  their 
guns  and  provisions,  and  that  everything  in  Paris  should 
remain  in  statu  quo. 

General  Burnside  had  an  interview  of  an  hour  with 
Monsieur  Jules  Favre,  who  wished  to  consult  his  associates 
before  giving  a  decisive  answer.  The  next  day  there  was 
a  long  interview  between  General  Burnside,  Mr.  Forbes, 
Mr.  Washburne,  Monsieur  Jules  Favre,  and  General 
Trochu.  The  French  were  not  disposed  to  enter  into  any 
negotiations  looking  to  a  peace,  unless  assured  that  Prus 
sia  did  not  desire  to  seize  on  Alsace  and  Lorraine.  Gen 
eral  Burnside  could  not,  of  course,  give  any  such  assur 
ances. 

While  at  Paris  on  this  second  visit,  General  Burnside 
was  impressed  with  the  appearance  of  the  city,  invested  by 
an  immense  army,  isolated  from  the  rest  of  the  world, — ex 
cept  when  a  mail  was  received  under  a  flag  of  truce  or 
sent  away  in  a  balloon, — with  its  outer  and  inner  belt  of  for 
tifications,  and  at  least  500,000  men  under  arms,  burning 
with  protracted  enthusiasm,  who  camped  in  all  its  open 
spaces,  exercised  on  its  boulevards,  lined  its  ramparts, 
crowded  its  gates,  paraded  its  streets,  and  thronged  its  res 
taurants.  The  wreck  of  the  empire  had  not  been  cleared 
away,  and  the  provisional  government,  composed  of  men 
having  the  best  intentions,  was  assailed  by  a  crowd  of 
vain,  crotchety,  envious  radicals.  There  were  no  new 
fashion-plates,  no  new  music,  no  new  books,  pictures, 
bronzes,  or  photographs,  no  new  jokes,  no  new  scandal, 
and  no  news,  save  what  transpired  within  an  area  of  some 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE.  293 

thirty  square  miles,  which  was  then  the  limit  of  the  influ 
ence  exercised  by  what  Frenchmen  vain-gloriously  termed 
the  capital  of  the  world.  The  bills  of  fare  at  the  principal 
restaurants  exhibited  a  painful  informality,  for  Paris  was 
without  fish  and  without  game,  hardly  any  poultry  and 
very  little  meat,  no  rare  vegetables,  and  neither  cheese  nor 
even  butter.  Europe  no  longer  laid  itself  under  contribu 
tion  that  Paris  might  dine  sumptuously.  The  fine  equi 
pages,  prancing  horses,  and  liveried  servants  had  disap 
peared  with  their  masters  and  mistresses ;  lawyers  and 
journalists,  who  were  at  the  head  of  public  affairs,  with 
shop-keepers,  working-men,  the  militia,  and  porters,  were 
the  only  classes  that  appeared  to  be  left  in  Paris.  Although 
General  Burnside  was  unsuccessful  in  bringing  about  ne 
gotiations  for  peace,  he  was  able  to  obtain  from  Count 
Bismarck  permission  for  upwards  of  fifty  Americans  to 
leave  Paris. 

On  the  1 4th  of  October,  General  Burnside,  accompanied 
by  General  Sheridan  and  Dr.  Forbes,  left  Versailles  for 
London.  He  was  there  an  object  of  great  curiosity,  as 
having  been  entrusted  by  the  two  great  contending  nations 
with  negotiations  that  required  all  the  qualities  of  the  diplo 
mat  and  the  statesman. 

His  personal  character,  his  good  sense,  and  his  complete 
neutrality  had  secured  him  great  advantages  on  both  sides. 
True  to  his  word,  he  was  not  willing  to  converse  about 
what  he  had  seen  in  Paris.  He  even  declined  an  invita 
tion  to  breakfast  from  the  Prince  of  Wales,  fearing  that 
questions  might  be  asked  him  concerning  what  he  had 
seen  when  admitted  into  Paris  under  a  flag  of  truce,  that 
he  could  not  honorably  answer.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted 
that  he  had  not,  for  the  benefit  of  future  historians,  placed 
on  record  his  reminiscences  of  these  eventful  visits  to  Paris. 


294 


GEX.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE. 


His  allusions  in  conversing,  after  a  few  years  had  passed, 
on  what  he  sa\v  and  heard,  were  always  listened  to  with 
marked  attention,  and  he  had  hopes  at  one  time  that  he 
should  be  able  to  welcome  Count  Bismarck  to  the  United 
States. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


THE  ARMY  REUNION'S  FOR  1873  —  DURNSIDE  BROUGHT  FORWARD 
AS  A  CANDIDATE  FOR  THE  UNITED  STATES  SENATE  —  UNSUC 
CESSFUL  BALLOTING  —  VISIT  TO  KNOXVILLE  —  ADDRESSES  IX 
TEXNESSEE— ELECTED  UNITED  STATES  SEXATOR. 

THE  army  reunions  for  1873  were  held  at  New 
Haven,  the  Society  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps  be 
ing  the  only  one  of  the  corps  organizations  which 
had  an  oration  and  a  banquet.  The  Rev.  Augustus 
Woodbury  delivered  the  oration,  which  was  able  and 
eloquent,  and  General  Burnside  presided  over  the  banquet, 
which  was  graced  by  many  prominent  citizens  of  Connec 
ticut.  General  Charles  Devens,  Jr.,  was  elected  com- 
mander-in-chief  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  who 
presented  a  finely-engrossed  and  elegantly-framed  testi 
monial  to  General  Burnside,  as  a  mark  of  the  high  esteem 
entertained  for  him  as  a  comrade,  and  in  appreciation  of 
his  able,  faithful,  and  zealous  administration  for  two  years 
of  the  responsible  duties  of  commander-in-chief,  illustrat 
ing,  as  a  man  and  an  officer,  the  cardinal  principles  of  our 
order — Fraternity,  Charity,  and  Loyalty. 

Among  the  pleasant  incidents  of  the  New  Haven  re 
union  was  the  greeting  which  General  Burnside  received 
from  one  of  his  old  command,  who  approached  him,  and 


2o6  LIFE   AND  PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

giving  him  a  military  salute,  said,  "God  bless  you,  Gene 
ral  Burnside,  I  am  glad  to  see  you  ;  you  don't  probably 
know  me,  but  to  you  I  owe  my  right  arm.  I  was  in  the 
Fifty-seventh  Massachusetts  Regiment,  and  in  your  com 
mand.  I  was  wounded  in  both  arms  at  Fredericksburg,  in 
the  right  one  very  badly,  and  but  for  your  personal  kind 
ness  to  me  I  should  have  lost  it.  I  have  n't  seen  you  since 
that  time,  but  I  have  always  wanted  to  see  you,  and  thank 
you,  for  I  honestly  believe  that  but  for  your  kindness,  I 
should  now  have  but  one  arm."  It  was  only  the-  kind 
greeting  of  one  man,  but  it  shows  the  real  feelings  of  the 
men  who  served  under  General  Burnside,  and  the  esteem 
they  have  for  him,  more,  perhaps,  than  the  more  noisy 
cheers  which  greeted  him  at  all  points. 

In  the  spring  of  1874  tne  friends  of  General  Burnside 
in  Rhode  Island  presented  his  name  as  a  candidate  for 
United  States  Senator,  to  succeed  Governor  Sprague.  It 
was  urged  that  he  possessed  to  a  remarkable  degree  the 
confidence  of  the  people  of  Rhode  Island, — while  his  un 
blemished  private  character,  his  spotless  honor,  his  win 
ning  address,  his  gallantry  in  action,  his  familiarity  with 
the  affairs  of  the  State,  and  his  knowledge  of  the  resources 
of  the  country,  all  combined  to  make  him  especially  well 
qualified  for  the  position. 

When  the  General  Assembly  commenced  balloting,  it 
was  evident  that  General  Burnside  had  the  largest  number 
of  Republican  votes,  but  not  a  majority.  His  opposing 
candidate  in  the  Republican  ranks  was  Nathan  F.  Dixon, 
a  lawyer,  whose  father  had  represented  Rhode  Island  in 
the  United  States  Senate,  and  who  had  himself  been  a 
member  of  the  Federal  House  of  Representatives.  It  soon 
became  evident,  however,  that  General  Burnside  had 
reached  his  highest  vote,  and  that  a  break  among  his  sup- 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE.  297 

porters  would  result  in  his  being  dropped.  The  General 
Assembly  consequently  adjourned  until  January. 

The  citizens  of  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  had  invited  General 
Burnside  to  be  present  at  the  decoration  of  the  Federal 
soldiers'  graves  on  the  3<Dth  of  May,  and  to  deliver  an  ad 
dress.  He  declined  this  invitation ,  but  agreed  to  visit  Knox 
ville  on  the  4th  of  July  and  speak.  The  Knoxville  Typo 
graphical  Union,  composed  only  of  practical  printers, 
solicited  the  cooperation  of  the  people  of  all  classes.  No 
sooner  did  the  fact  become  generally  known  that  General 
Burnside  would  be  in  the  city  on  that  day,  than  a  general 
enthusiasm  prevailed,  and  the  citizens  of  all  parties,  ex- 
Federal  and  ex-rebel  soldiers,  Democratic  and  Republican, 
all  seemed  to  partake  of  this  enthusiasm,  and  signified 
their  intention  of  giving  General  Burnside  such  a  reception 
as  no  other  general  had  ever  before  received  in  East  Ten 
nessee.  The  morning  papers  heralded  the  fact  to  the 
world  in  double-leaded  editorials,  while  large  posters 
were  printed  and  distributed  throughout  East  Tennessee. 
During  the  entire  following  week  General  Burnside  was 
all  the  talk,  and  many  an  ex-rebel  could  be  heard  speaking 
of  a  kindness  shown  him  by  the  general  while  in  com 
mand  of  this  post  during  the  war,  while  the  Union  ex- 
soldiers  loved  him  as  a  father. 

General  Burnside  arrived  at  Knoxville  on  the  evening 
of  July  3,  and  was  escorted  to  the  residence  of  the  Hon. 
Perez  Dickinson,  where  he  passed  the  night.  On  the 
morning  of  the  "  Fourth"  a  procession  was  formed,  which 
escorted  General  Burnside  in  a  barouche  drawn  by  four 
white  horses.  The  city  was  crowded,  and  the  procession 
marched  through  crowds  to  the  grounds  of  the  Female  In 
stitute,  where  a  formal  address  of  welcome  was  delivered 
by  the  Hon.  H.  O.  Temple. 


298  LIFE  AND  PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

"It  affords  me  very  great  pleasure/'  said  General  Burn- 
side  in  reply,  "to  meet  so  many  of  my  old  personal  friends, 
and  so  many  of  the  citizens  of  East  Tennessee,  upon  this 
occasion.  At  Greeneville,  I  was  met  by  a  large  number 
of  people,  and  welcomed  by  my  old  friend,  ex-President 
Johnson,  to  whom  I  shall  always  be  thankful  for  the  aid 
he  gave  me  in  getting  my  army  into  East  Tennessee. 
Whatever  differences  we  may  now  have  with  him  politi 
cally,  we  must  all  give  him  credit  for  his  patriotic  duty 
during  the  war.  I  have  always  admired  the  people  of 
East  Tennessee.  I  read  early  in  the  war  of  the  conflict 
going  on  here,  and  when  I  was  sent  to  command  the  De 
partment  of  the  Ohio,  I  proceeded  at  once  to  organize  an 
army  to  come  to  your  relief.  I  came  here  at  the  head  of 
the  army,  to  restore  order  and  good  government.  I  am 
glad  that  you  feel  so  kindly  to  me  for  the  way  I  exercised 
that  authority.  I  am  glad  to  know  that  in  this  demonstra 
tion  to-day  men  of  both  sides  are  united.  It  shows  that  a 
good  feeling  exists  here.  I  have  always  believed  that 
there  were  men  just  as  honest  and  conscientious  in  the 
South  as  the  North,  and  I  always  feel  kindly  to  those  who 
gallantly  and  honestly  discharged  what  they  thought  was 
their  duty.  But  when  I  say  this,  I  do  not  wish  to  be  under 
stood  as  saying  that  the  Rebellion  was  right,  or  that  the 
government  has  not  the  right  to  suppress  it  wherever  it 
exists." 

Later  in  the  day,  General  Burnside  addressed  the  Knox- 
ville  Typographical  Union,  in  a  grove  near  the  city.  "It 
is  now  eleven  years  ago,"  said  he,  "  that  I  crossed  one  of 
the  great  chains  of  mountains  by  which  you  are  sur 
rounded.  Then  I  was  at  the  head  of  an  armed  host,  not 
for  invasion,  but  for  the  protection  of  your  people.  A  long 
time  before  I  was  ordered  to  a  command  in  the  West,  my 


GE.\.    A. '\fBKOSE   E     BURXS1DE. 


299 


heart  had  been  moved  by  the  many  grand  examples  of 
their  patriotism,  and  as  soon  as  I  assumed  command  of  the 
Department  of  the  Ohio,  arrangements  were  at  once  inau 
gurated  for  a  march  into  East  Tennessee.  At  my  head 
quarters  in  Cincinnati,  the  refugees  from  this  section  were 
constant  and  welcome  visitors.  They  were  of  infinite  ser 
vice  to  the  government,  not  only  as  advisers,  scouts,  and 
guides,  but  as  disciplined,  gallant  soldiers,  making  up,  as 
they  did,  some  of  the  finest  regiments  in  the  army.  Their 
devotion  to  the  cause,  and  their  thorough  cooperation  with 
me  in  all  my  work  in  this  department,  have  endeared  them 
to  me  and  their  other  comrades  beyond  measure.  I  am 
glad  to  meet  so  many  of  them  here  to-day.  The  survivors 
of  the  gallant  Old  Ninth  and  Twenty-third  army  corps 
join  me  in  friendly  greetings  to  them.  Combined,  they 
formed  a  command  of  which  any  general  might  be  proud. 

';I  will  not  attempt  a  detailed  account  of  their  services 
here  ;  they  are  as  fresh  in  your  memories  as  in  mine.  We 
have  but  to  recall  Cumberland  Gap,  Blue  Spring,  Camp 
bell  Station,  and  Knoxville,  to  have  their  services  vividly 
before  us.  But  on  an  occasion  like  this,  it  is  not  meet 
to  dwell  upon  the  details  of  these  conflicts.  We  should 
rather  draw  the  curtain  over  them.  Let  us  unite  as 
brother  freemen,  in  thanking  God  that  these  conflicts  are 
over ;  that  our  country  is  again  at  peace  ;  and  although 
some  of  the  saddening  effects  of  the  war  are  still  apparent, 
let  us  hope  and  believe  they  are  rapidly  passing  away, 
and  that  the  coming  generations  will  only  remember  it  as 
a  conflict  between  their'  forefathers,  who  were  brothers, 
and  in  which  equal  gallantry  and  devotion  to  the  cause 
for  which  they  were  fighting  were  shown  by  both  sides. 
By  this  I  do  not  mean  that  we  must  forget  the  glorious 
exploits  on  either  side,  nor  erase  from  our  flags  the  names 


100  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

o 

of  the  engagements  into  which  they  were  carried  to  vic 
tory  or  defeat ;  neither  do  I  mean  to  say  that  we  must  look 
upon  the  cause  of  the  South  as  a  just  one.  Far  be  it  from 
me  to  do  anything  to  diminish  the  importance  of  the  lesson 
taught  to  us  and  the  whole  civilized  world,,  that  the  gov 
ernment  of  the  United  States  has  the  right  and  the  power 
to  put  down  rebellion  ;  but  I  do  mean  to  say  that  the 
Southern  soldiers,  as  a  mass,  fought  with  a  courage  and 
devotion  to  what  they  thought  was  right,  and,  the  contest 
over,  we  should  be  willing  to  grant  this." 

General  Burnside  went  on  to  say  :  "I  have  prepared  no 
elaborate  address  to  you.  You  have  here  more  gifted 
speakers  than  I,  to  talk  to  you  of  your  duties,  and  congrat 
ulate  you  on  your  successes.  Your  art  requires  of  you,  in 
order  to  perform  your  duties  properly,  great  integrity, 
industry,  skill,  and  education.  Your  duties  not  only  re 
quire  of  you  skill  in  your  calling,  but  preparation,  as  far 
as  possible,  to  fill  any  position  in  the  press  which  may 
devolve  upon  you.  No  good  printer  fails  to  aspire  to  pro 
motion  in  his  calling,  and  he  should  strive  to  qualify  him 
self  for  a  higher  position.  Great  duties  devolve  upon  the 
press.  It  holds  within  its  control  a  wonderful  engine  of 
power ;  more  powerful  is  it  than  that  held  by  any  class  or 
profession,  and  it  should  endeavor  to  wield  it  with  discre 
tion,  boldness,  truthfulness,  and  fairness.  It  should  battle 
against  wrong  in  all  its  phases,  whether  it  be  oppression, 
usurpation,  monopoly,  bribery,  corruption,  unfair  legisla 
tion,  or  dishonesty  of  any  kind.  It  should  fight  for  truth, 
civil  and  religious  liberty,  honesty  in  all  the  walks  of  pub 
lic  and  private  life,  and  protection  to  all  the  oppressed  and 
down-trodden  of  the  world.  You  will  grant  me  that  some 
agents  of  the  press  do  not  always  use  their  power  in 
accordance  with  the  above  principles.  But  you  should 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 

all  resolve  to  be  governed  by  them.  There  is  no  truer 
saying  than  that  '  fair  play  is  a  jewel.'  With  the  special 
objects  of  your  Union  I  am  not  fully  conversant,  but  take 
it  that  you  are  joined  together  for  purposes  of  protection, 
friendly  association,  mutual  improvement,  and  charitable 
objects.  So  long  as  you  follow  these  purposes,  great  good 
will  result  from  your  work  ;  but  no  one  knows  better  than 
you,  that  often  these  unions  fall  under  the  control  of  bad 
men,  who  use  their  power  to  their  own  advantage  and  to 
the  detriment  of  the  members  generally.  There  is  another 
thing  that  I  have  sometimes  thought  an  objection  to  them. 
Many  of  the  members,  from  their  connection  with  them, 
become  fastened  to  the  position  they  occupy,  and  do  not 
seek  advancement,  but  continue  all  their  lives  the  tools  of 
designing  leaders." 

Said  General  Burnside,  in  conclusion  :  "This  has  been 
to  me  a  most  glorious  day.  It  has  given  me  the  oppor 
tunity  of  renewing  many  old  and  valued  acquaintances, 
and  receiving  from  them  many  kindly  greetings  and  hos 
pitalities.  I  was  met  at  the  railway-station,  last  night,  by 
your  distinguished  fellow-citizen,  Mr.  Dickinson,  the  same 
good  friend  who  first  met  me  when  I  entered  Knoxville 
eleven  years  ago,  and  was  taken  by  him  to  the  same  hos 
pitable  mansion  he  welcomed  me  to  then.  This  morning, 
as  I  was  awakened  from  my  slumbers  by  the  sound  of  ar 
tillery,  I  almost  fancied  myself  again  in  the  midst  of  the 
conflicts  of  war ;  but  upon  looking  out  upon  your  grand 
mountains  and  noble  river,  and  witnessing  the  peaceful 
scenes  before  me,  I  realized  that 'these  were  not  sounds  of 
discord  and  conflict,  which  make  anxious  hearts,  but  were 
sounds  of  welcome  which  made  my  heart  glad.  God  grant 
that  the  same  peace  which  exists  in  all  East  Tennessee 
this  bright  and  glorious  day  may  continue  for  ages,  and 


oO2  LIFE  AND  PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

that  we  and  future  generations  may  continue  to  celebrate 
this  glorious  anniversary  with  the  same  happiness  and  loy 
alty  that  have  characterized  our  meeting  to-day." 

When  the  General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island  met  again, 
in  January,  1875,  the  dead-lock  was  renewed,  but  the 
friends  of  General  Burnside  presented  an  unbroken  front. 
"He  never  goes  back  on  his  friends,"  said  one  of  his  en 
thusiastic  admirers,  "and  his  friends  won't  do  so  mean  a 
thing  as  to  go  back  on  him."  At  last,  on  the  twenty-eighth 
ballot,  Mr.  Dixon  withdrew  his  name,  and  his  friends  voted 
for  General  Burnside,  securing  his  election  by  100  major 
ity.  No  sooner  was  the  result  declared,  than  a  small  can 
non  in  the  State  House  yard  roared  forth  its  brazen  con 
gratulations,  and  was  fired  until  it  had  completed  a  major- 
general's  salute.  Meanwhile  General  Burnside  had  been 
sent  for,  and  on  being  introduced  to  the  General  Assembly, 
he  spoke  as  follows  : 

"  Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Grand  Commit 
tee  :  I  cannot  find  words  to  express  the  deep  satisfaction 
which  I  feel  at  this  mark  of  your  confidence.  Before  the 
action  of  this  morning  I  felt  that  I  owed  to  the  people  of 
Rhode  Island,  whom  you  represent,  a  debt  of  gratitude 
which  I  could  never  pay,  and  by  this  action  I  feel  placed 
under  renewed  obligations  to  them  and  to  you.  I  recog 
nize  the  fact  that  there  is  among  you  a  marked  difference 
of  opinion  as  to  the  course  which  has  been  taken  here  this 
morning.  It  shall  be  my  endeavor  in  the  future,  as  well 
in  my  official  capacity  as  in  personal  decorum,  to  cause 
my  friends  to  be  glad  of  the  support  they  have  given  me, 
and  my  enemies, —  no,  I  will  not  say  enemies,  for  I  never 
thought  I  had  an  enemy  among  you,  and  if  I  have,  I  hope 
no  one  will  ever  tell  me  of  it, —  but  my  political  opponents, 
-  to  cause  them  to  have  no  regret  at  seeing  me  in  the 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE.  303 

Senate  Chamber.  My  object  shall  be  to  look  first  at  the 
interests  of  Rhode  Island,  if  these  interests  are  consonant 
with  the  Constitution  and  the  laws.  My  first  duty  is  to  my 
country  ;  my  second  to  my  constituents  in  Rhode  Island. 
When  I  cannot  conscientiously  represent  their  interests, 
and  if  at  any  time  the  differences  between  them  and  me 
cannot  be  reconciled,  my  commission  will  be  returned  to 
this  body  who  gave  it  to  me. 

"I  may  be  allowed  to  express  my  deep  pride  and  grati 
tude  to  my  friends  for  their  steadfast  support,  and  yet  I 
know  I  could  not  have  been  elected  this  morning  without 
the  accessions  of  those  who  have  voted  for  other  candi 
dates.  I  cannot  close  without  thanking  them  for  the  kindly 
manner  in  which  they  have  ever  met  me,  and  spoken  of 
me  in  my  absence,  so  far  as  I  know. 

"  I  cannot  say  I  am  surprised  by  the  result  this  morn 
ing,  for  I  thought  yesterday  this  would  be  the  result ;  but 
I  have  not  allowed  myself  to  prepare  any  connected  re 
marks.  I  can  only  say  that  I  shall  give  to  the  duties  to 
which  you  have  called  me  my  best  efforts,  and  that  I  shall 
never  take  my  seat  in  the  Senate  without  being  prepared 
for  whatever  subject  may  come  up,  so  far  as  my  abilities 
and  personal  attention  may  enable  me  to  prepare  myself. 

"  It  is  now  late  in  the  day,  gentlemen,  but  I  may  say 
that  to-morrow  afternoon,  from  one  till  five  o'clock,  I  shall 
be  at  my  home,  No.  312  Benefit  Street,  where  I  shall  be 
gratified  to  receive  you  all,  together  with  the  officers  of  the 
State,  judges  of  the  courts,  and  such  other  gentlemen  as  I 
may  invite  to  be  present.  Again  I  thank  you,  gentlemen, 
and  wish  you  good-morning." 


CHAPTER  XXX. 


"EDGHILL  FARM"  — THE  HOUSE  AND  FURNITURE  —  FAKM  STOCK- 
RURAL  PURSUITS— KINDNESS  TO  ANIMALS  —  VISITS  FROM  VET 
ERANS —HOSPITALITIES  —  PERSONAL  POPULARITY— TRAITS  OF 
CHARACTER. 

ATER  his  election  to  the  United  States  Senate, 
General  Burnside  appeared  to  take  a  greater  in 
terest  than  ever  before  in  the  cultivation  of  the  soil. 
His  estate  near  Bristol  he  named  "  Edghill  Farm,"  after  his 
father,  Edghill  Burnside,  and  his  great-grandfather,  James 
Edghill.  It  was  neither  large  in  area  nor  very  valuable, 
but  he  became  as  devotedly  attached  to  it  as  did  the  "  Iron 
Duke  "  of  Wellington  to  the  large  and  valuable  estate  of 
"  Stathfieldsaye,"  presented  to  him  by  a  grateful  country. 
Great  soldiers  have  invariably  been  good  farmers,  as  was 
exemplified  by  Washington  at  "  Mount  Vernon,"  Jackson 
at  the  "  Hermitage,"  and  Zachary  Taylor  at  his  sugar- 
plantation  at  Pascagoula.  The  same  system,  skill,  man 
agement  of  men,  and  determined  will  which  insures  the 
commander  of  an  army  success,  enables  him  in  later 
years  to  subdue  a  stubborn  soil,  and  to  make  the  wilder 
ness  "  blossom  like  the  rose." 

"Edghill  Farm"  was  located  about  two  miles  from  Bris- 


GEN.   AMBROSE   E.    B URNS IDE.  305 

tol,  on  a  \vell-graded  road,  which  afforded  a  delightful 
drive  in  pleasant  weather.  Entering  the  estate  through 
the  gate,  nothing  but  the  roof  of  the  house  could  be  seen, 
as  the  ground  on  which  it  stands  is  somewhat  lower  than 
the  road.  The  house  was  somewhat  unique  in  shape, 
having  grown,  by  gradual  additions,  from  a  small  cottage 
into  a  commodious  structure.  The  principal  portion,  sur 
rounded  on  three  sides  by  glass  windows,  outside  of  which 
was  a  covered  porch,  reminded  one  of  the  rear  cabin  of  a 
large  steamer.  On  the  other  side  was  a  large,  old-fash 
ioned  fire-place,  with  brass  andirons  and  a  high  mantel 
shelf,  over  which  was  a  stag's  head  with  spreading  antlers. 
To  describe  the  interior,  with  its  many  conveniences,  would 
be  a  difficult  task.  There  were  airy  chambers  above,  the 
general's  own  rooms  below,  comfortable  quarters  for  the 
servants,  wide  porches,  bath-rooms,  a  well-ventilated 
kitchen,  and  a  host  of  conveniences  which  defied  the 
suggestion  of  more  possibilities  for  comfort.  Adjoining 
the  house  and  connected  with  it  was  a  carriage-house,  the 
stable,  the  poultry-house  and  yard,  the  barns,  and  the 
barn-yard.  The  house  and  farm  buildings  were  well  sup 
plied  with  water  brought  from  a  well  on  an  adjacent  hill. 
Every  one  of  the  different  matters  about  the  farm  buildings 
were  placed  where  they  were  required.  There  was  "a 
place  for  everything,"  and  the  general  insisted  on  having 
everything  kept  "  in  its  place." 

The  chief  charm  of  "  Edghill"  was  its  natural  beauty, 
without  any  attempt  at  artificial  ornament.  Clumps  of 
shade-trees  were  dispersed  here  and  there  on  the  green 
sward.  There  was  a  garden,  with  its  fruit-trees  and  grape 
vines,  and  the  ground  gently  descended  from  the  house  to 
the  shore  of  Mount  Hope  Bay.  The  view  on  this  sheet  of 
water  is  ever  beautiful  and  never  tiring.  In  the  distance 

L'O 


306  LIPE    AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OP 

was  Mount  Hope,  where  the  renowned  King  Philip  lived 
in  state  and  was  slain,  with  the  adjacent  city  of  Fall  River, 
from  which  rise  tall  chimneys  crested  with  smoke,  show 
ing  that  it  is  a  city  of  industry.  The  bay  itself  affords 
a  constantly  changing  panorama  of  steam  and  sailing  ves 
sels,  pleasure  yachts,  and  small  craft.  On  either  side  are 
cultivated  fields,  orchards,  and  handsome  country  resi 
dences,  or  neat  cottages.  One  can  never  be  fatigued  with 
the  contemplation  of  this  beautiful  and  interesting  view. 

In  the  large  room  of  the  house  was  a  library  of  mili 
tary  books,  history,  the  English  poets,  theology,  and 
natural  history.  A  vote  of  thanks  presented  to  him  by  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  after  his  service  as  com- 
mander-in-chief,  adorned  the  wall  ;  and  there  was  also  an 
elegantly-framed  "  military  escutcheon,"  on  which  were 
blazoned  his  services,  and  the  various  commissions  which 
he  had  received.  When  he  first  took  possession  of  ';  Edg- 
hill,"  it  was  little  better  than  a  rocky  pasture  ;  but  by  the 
application  of  science  to  practical  experience;  by  under- 
draining,  the  use  of  fertilizers,  and  much  hard  work,  he 
was  able  to  cut  three  tons  of  English  hay  to  the  acre  in  his 
meadow,  and  to  gather  sixteen  hundred  bushels  of  corn 
from  his  corn-field  of  twelve  acres.  The  raising  of  cattle 
was  his  delight,  and  it  was  a  rare  treat  to  walk  with  him 
through  the  spacious  yards  adjoining  his  barns,  or  over  his 
grazing  fields,  and  to  have  him  point  out  the  good  points 
of  his  Alderney  herd,  which  were  not  surpassed  in  that 
section  of  the  country.  His  hogs  were  a  mixture  of  the 
native  and  Suffolk,  having  in  a  remarkable  degree  the 
good  qualities  of  both.  The  fowl  were  Brahmas  and  Leg 
horns,  without  any  of  the  hideous  varieties  introduced  dur 
ing  the  prevalence  of  the  hen  fever.  Then  there  were  rare 
varieties  of  geese,  ducks,  and  turkeys  to  almost  unlimited 
extent. 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE. 


307 


General  Burnside  was  never  happier  than  when  among 
his  men,  directing  agricultural  operations.  He  would  be 
with  them  all  day,  although  it  might  be  necessary  to  de 
vote  a  good  portion  of  the  following  night  to  his  correspon- 


"  EDGHILI.,"    RESIDENCE    OK    GENERAL    BURNSIDE,    HKISTOL,    K.    I. 

•  dence,  which  he  kept  up,  even  though  it  required  late 
hours  to  do  so.  The  rural  sounds  and  the  grand  aspects 
of  nature  at  "Edghill  Farm  "  ministered  to  the  delight  of 

o  o 

General  Burnside's  acute  sensibilities,  as  we  are  told  that 
Marshfield  did  to  those  of  Mr.  Webster.  The  smell  of  new- 
mown  hay  and  of  the  freshly-turned  furrows  of  spring  was 
cordial  to  his  spirit ;  the  whetting  of  the  mower's  scythe 
and  the  beat  of  the  thresher's  flail  were  music  to  his  soul. 

The  rich  verdure  of  clover,  the  \vaving  of  the  golden 
grain,  the  shriek  of  the  water-fowl  on  the  bay,  and  the 
softer  sound  of  the  land  birds, —  all  the  varying  aspects  of 
skv  and  field  and  water,  furnished  him  with  a  distinct  and 


ooS  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

peculiar  enjoyment.  The  shrinking  quail  whistled  in  his 
garden  shrubbery,  and  fed  unscared  in  his  carriage-way. 
General  Burnside  delivered  several  speeches  at  agricultu 
ral  gatherings,  which  were  listened  to  with  the  more  inter 
est  because  they  were  conservative  and  practical.  He 
believed  that  the  government  should  establish  agricultural 
schools  and  model  farms  everywhere,  that  the  farmer 
might  be  educated  for  his  vocation.  In  law,  medicine, 
theology,  and  the  army,  schools  were  established  for  the 
education  of  those  who  were  to  follow  their  respective  pur 
suits.  General  Burnside  thought  it  equally  important  that 
schools  should  be  established  for  those  who  pursue  the  more 
honorable  education  of  tilling  the  soil.  Physical  educa 
tion  should  go  hand  in  hand  with  mental,  and  moral  educa 
tion  with  both.  These  schools,  he  thought,  should  be  con 
ducted  so  as  to  educate  the  whole  man,  morally,  mentally, 
and  physically.  Certain  hours  should  be  allotted  each  day 
for  the  students  to  follow  rural  pursuits,  and  they  should 
be  of  such  a  nature  as  to  benefit  both  the  mind  and  the 
body,  for  the  great  object  of  education  should  be  to  develop 
a  strong  mind  in  a  strong  body.  General  Burnside  be 
lieved  that  physical  power  is  as  essential  as  mental  power. 
General  Burnside's  horses  and  cattle  knew  his  voice,  and 
whinnied  a  welcome  whenever  he  approached.  His  bob- 
tailed  war  charger,  "Major, "the  gift  of  some  unknown 
friend,  lived  to  the  age  of  thirty  years,  and  long  after  his 
usefulness  was  over  scarcely  any  one  dared  to  mount  him 
but  his  owner.  But  the  general,  being  so  much  attached 
to  him,  saw  that  he  was  well  housed  and  fed.  At  last, 
when  the  animal  had  become  so  old  as  to  make  life  a  bur 
den  to  himself,  his  master  was  obliged  to  give  directions 
that  he  should  be  killed;  "but  do  not  do  it,"  said  he, 
"until  next  winter,  after  I  have  gone  to  Washington." 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURXSIDE.  309 

Alas,  he  never  went  there,  and  after  his  lifeless  remains 
had  been  removed  from  "  Edghill  Farm  "  to  Providence, 
for  interment,  the  faithful  animal  was  led  out  and  shot. 

"  Dick,"  General  Burnside's  favorite  driving  horse,  was 
a  noble  animal,  sure-footed  and  fast,  but  he  would  occa 
sionally  get  his  tail  over  the  reins,  and  then  run  away. 
To  prevent  this  the  general  had  constructed  over  the  shafts 
of  one  of  his  carriages  a  wire  structure,  resembling  a  small 
summer-house.  Beneath  this  "  Dick  "  would  thrash  his  tail 
about  madly,  yet  he  could  not  trouble  the  reins,  which 
rested  on  the  upper  side  of  the  trellis.  A  few  weeks 
before  the  general's  death,  "Dick"  ran  away  with  him, 
and  he  was  thrown  from  his  carriage,  receiving  quite  a 
jarring.  Writing  him  congratulations  on  his  not  having 
been  more  seriously  injured,  a  friend  remarked  :  "  Dick 
will  be  the  death  of  you  yet."  The  return  mail  brought 
one  of  his  pleasant  letters,  in  which  he  said  that  he  was 
recovering  from  the  upset,  and  added  :  "It  was  not  Dick's 
fault."  The  general's  generous  nature  always  prompted 
him  to  assume  blame  and  to  exculpate  either  men  or  beasts 
from  accusations. 

The  hospitalities  at  "  Edghill"  were  unbounded.  Visitors 
came  there  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  and  those  who  had 
served  under  him  were  especially  welcome.  On  several 
occasions,  large  organizations  came  to  pass  the  clay  with 
their  old  commander,  telling  camp-stories,  recalling  inci 
dents  of  hard-fought  fields,  and  invariably  ending  with 
"The  Ninth  Corps,"  to  the  air  so  familiar  to  the  graduates 
of  West  Point,  one  stanza  running  as  follows  : 

"  Then  we  '11  drink  to  General  Burnside.  may  his  laurels  ever  grow ; 

And  the  other  generals,  Parke.  Foster,  and  Reno. 

Their  well-laid  plans,  and  v,  _'ll-tbught  fields  cause  every  one  to  know, 
Thev  went  to  school  in  early  lite  wit!;  Benny  Havens,  O  ! 
With  Benny  Havens,  O  !  etc." 


310  LIFE   AXD    ITBL1C    SERVICES    OF 

Parties  from  the  gay  throngs  at  Newport,  friends  from 
Bristol  and  Providence,  the  farmers  of  the  vicinage,  and 
distinguished  persons  from  different  parts  of  the  country 
were  equally  welcome  at  "  Eclghill  Farm,"  and' the  genial 
host  always  seemed  happy  when  a  party  of  friends  were 
congregated  around  his  large  table,  or  before  his  spacious 
fire-place.  General  Burnside  is  well  described  by  his  life 
long  friend,  the  Rev.  Augustus  Woodbury,  as  a  good 
talker,  who  had  clear  and  decided  opinions  to  express  on 
both  the  political  and  religious  questions  of  the  day  that 
were  agitating  the  public  mind.  He  did  not  deal  much 
in  the  petty  gossip  of  the  day  ;  but  there  was  always  an 
under-current  of  seriousness,  even  when  the  conversation 
turned  upon  light  and  playful  themes.  It  was  evident  that 
he  had  thought  much  upon  the  more  important  subjects  of 
life.  He  gave  up  the  use  of  tobacco  when  comparatively  a 
young  man,  because  he  said  he  would  not  be  a  slave  to 
any  habit.  For  the  last  five  or  six  years  of  his  life  he 
drank  no  wine  nor  liquors,  and,  in  fact,  had  come  to  prac 
tice  total  abstinence  from  intoxicating  drinks,  although  he 
did  not  deny  the  use  of  these  to  his  guests.  He  would 
not  make  his  own  conscience  the  judge  of  what  was  right 
or  proper  to  others. 

Col.  William  Goddard,  who  served  on  General  Burn- 
side's  staff'  during  the  war,  and  who  was  his  cherished 
personal  friend,  said  of  him  in  a  memoir  written  for  the 
military  order  of  the  Loyal  Legion  :  "  His  hospitality  was 
proverbial.  Under  his  roof  presidents  and  heads  of  de 
partments  shared  with  his  old  companions  in  arms,  and 
with  troops  of  congenial  friends,  a  hospitality  at  once 
simple  and  profuse,  and  all  were  welcomed  with  the  same 
cordia}  and  attractive  grace.  His  manners  were  unaffected 
and  genial,  and  his  conversation  was  singularly  attrac- 


•GEX.    A. MBit  OS  E   E.    /i['/tXS//)K.  oir 

live.  He  loved  anecdote,  and  often  indulged  in  light- 
hearted  sportiveness,  but  pervading  all  his  social  inter 
course,  even  with  familiar  friends,  was  the  sense  of  the 
dignity  of  life,  and  the  moral  elevation  of  a  character 
which  could  never  confound  the  distinctions  of  right  and 
wrong." 

At  Providence,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  "  Edghill  Farm," 
General  Burnside  was  esteemed  by  all  classes,  and  he 
enjoyed  a  personal  popularity  which  it  falls  to  the  lot  of 
but  few  men  to  have  among  their  neighbors.  His  was  a 
nature  that  was  keenly  alive  to  kindly  acts.  Those  who 
were  able  to  do  him  a  favor  were  sure  to  have  in  return 
acts  of  kindness  bestowed  upon  them  with  a  lavish  hand 
by  him.  He  was  a  man  of  his  word,  frank  and  manly  in 
his  intercourse  with  all,  never  promising  anything  he  was 
not  able  to  perform,  and  never  failing  to  perform  that 
which  he  undertook.  Liberal  in  his  impulses  and  gener 
ous  in  his  feelings,  his  kindly  nature  prompted  him  to  a 
consistent  performance  of  acts  of  kindness  towards  all  with 
whom  he  had  daily  intercourse.  In  his  contributions  to  the 
benevolent  and  charitable  enterprises  of  the  day,  lie  was 
ever  ready  and  liberal,  and  he  was  always  ready  to  aid 
those  veterans  who  had  perilled  their  lives  that  the  Republic 
might  live  ;  having  come  up  from  the  ranks  of  the  people, 
he  sympathized  with  them,  understood  their  views  and 
feelings,  and  was  ever  ready  to  promote  their  interests. 

As  a  politician  in  the  highest  sense  of  the  word,  General 
Burnside  was  eminently  successful.  He  did  not  possess 
dazzling  attainments  without  native  good  sense  ;  nor  splen 
did  oratory  without  wisdom  or  judgment ;  nor  elegance 
of  manners  without  sinceritv  of  purpose  ;  but,  instead  of 
those,  he  united  in  a  very  eminent  degree  those  rare 
qualifications  of  a  sound  common  sense,  practical  and  use- 


3I2 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BUR  XS  IDE. 


ful  to  a  public  man,  which  are  the  result  oi"  firmness  of 
purpose,  with  accuracy  of  judgment,  and  strong  natural 
talents.  Planning  a  coming  election  as  he  would  have 
prepared  for  a  battle,  he  selected  his  aides-de-camp  to 
cany  out  his  plans,  and  by  careful  management  and  at 
tention  to  every  minor  detail,  insured  success.  Inspiring 
his  political  associates  with  a  consciousness  of  strength, 
a  spirit  of  energetic  determination,  and  a  conviction  of 
right,  he  found  it  an  easy  task  to  stimulate  their  exertion 
until  victory  was  secured. 

As  a  husband,  son-in-law,  and  brother.  General  Burn- 
side  presented  a  character  truly  noble,  and  proved  that  his 
heart  was  in  the  right  place.  When  elected  to  the  United 
States  Senate  he  was  in  his  fifty-first  year;  but  there  are 
few  men  who,  at  that  age,  are  so  free  from  disease,  and 
who  enjoy  the  same  mental  and  physical  energy.  His 
was  a  constitution  of  great  elasticity  and  vigor,  capable  of 
much  endurance,  and  of  active  bodily  and  mental  exer 
tion  ;  although  his  life  had  been  a  very  active  one,  and  his 
energies  had  been  taxed  very  heavily,  he  possessed  all  the 
physical  and  mental  energy  of  a  young  man. 


V 


<-vq 

•s>. 


•rv^: 


<-\  -**G-,j* v**1  ^r-^- 

,5?  ,.^^a     *••     /»N 

f<       <\N  »xx.S^**^-^-i    ^-'^~ 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 


TAKES  IIIS  SEAT  IN  THE  SENATE  — THE  OLD  AXD  NEW  SEXATORS 
—  DECORATIOX  DAY  AT  AXTIETAM  NATIONAL  CEMETERY  — 
PATRIOTIC  ADDRESS  OX  DECORATIOX  DAY  — SPEECH  AT  THE 
COMMENCEMENT  D1XXER  OF  BROWN  UNIVERSITY  — BANQUET 
OF  THE  LOYAL  LEGION  AT  BOSTON -GENERAL  GRANT  AT 
"EDGHILL  FARM." 

GENERAL  BURNSIDE  took  his  seat  in  the  United 
States  Senate  on  Friday,  the  5th  of  March,  1875. 
It  was  a  called  session,  the  Forty-third  Congress 
having  terminated  its  existence  on  the  previous  day.     The 
oath  was  administered  to  the  new  Senators  by  Vice-Presi- 
dent  Henry  Wilson,   and  it  was  a  noteworthy  fact  that  it 
was   taken    at  the  same   time    by    Hannibal    Hamlin  and 
Andrew  Johnson,    who   had   been   Vice-Presidents  under 
Abraham  Lincoln. 

Among  the  old  Senators  were  General  Burnside's  col 
league,  Mr.  Anthony,  the  -pater  scnatus,  with  cordial 
words  of  welcome  for  all  new-comers  ;  Mr.  Conkling,  a 
powerful  intellectual  gladiator,  able  to  learnedly  expound 
the  law  or  to  engage  in  running  debate  with  sarcasm  and 
force  ;  Mr.  Edmunds,  observant  and  learned  in  the  law  ; 
Mr.  Bayard,  called  the  type  of  a  Roman  of  the  Augus- 


314  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

tinian  age  ;  General  Ransom,  of  North  Carolina,  who  had 
heroically  fought  for  the  lost  cause,  and  now  sought  to  pro 
mote  the  welfare  of  his  constituents;  Mr.  Morton,  one  of 
the  friends  of  Burnside's  early  youth,  who  had  subsequently 
been  war-governor  of  Indiana,  and  who  was  a  stalwart 
pillar  of  the  Republican  temple;  Mr.  Sherman,  a  trained 
and  able  statesman,  who  seemed  in  political  life  like  a 
thorough-bred  race-horse  harnessed  to  a  dirt-cart ;  and 
General  Logan,  his  dark  eyes  glistening  as  though  he  \vere 
about  to  lead  his  old  army  corps  into  action. 

Among  the  new  Senators  were  Mr.  B.  K.  Bruce,  a  Mis- 
sissippian,  with  courtly  manners  and  fair  education,  whose 
colored  skin  showed  his  African  descent;  Mr.  Dawes, 
who  had  just  been  transplanted  from  the  lower  house, 
where  he  had  had  great  experience  ;  Mr.  Jones  of  Florida, 
one  of  the  few  Senators  who  have  been  deprived  by  birth 
of  any  chance  of  becoming  President,  and  whose  useful 
ness  as  a  legislator  has  thereby  been  greatly  increased  : 
Mr.  Maxey  of  Texas,  General  Burnside's  old  West  Point 
comrade,  who  had  served  gallantly  in  the  Confederate 
army  ;  Mr.  William  Pinkney  Whyte,  an  accomplished  and 
courteous  member  of  the  Baltimore  Bar ;  and  four  old- 
fashioned  Jeffersonian  Democrats  —  Messrs.  Eaton  of  Con 
necticut,  Kernan  of  New  York,  Thurman  of  Ohio,  and 
McDonald  of  Indiana,  all  of  whom  had  unexpectedly 
again  come  to  the  political  front.  General  Burnside  was 
appointed  on  three  important  committees,  viz.  :  Military 
Affairs,  of  which  General  Logan  was  chairman  ;  Com 
merce,  of  which  Mr.  Conklingwas  chairman;  and  Educa 
tion  and  Labor,  of  which  Mr.  Patterson  was  chairman. 

The  Senate,  in  the  called  session,  ratified  the  reciprocity 
treaty  with  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  and  confirmed  the  nomi 
nations  of  a  number  of  members  of  the  preceding  Congress 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.   BURNSIDE. 


315 


who  had  failed  to  secure  a  reelection  in  the  political  cam 
paign  of  the  preceding  autumn.  Governor  Morton  led  off 
in  a  long  debate  on  the  admission  of  Mr.  Pinchback  as  a 
Senator  from  Louisiana,  which  was  finally  postponed  until 


THE    CAPITOL,     AT    WASHINGTON,    D.    C. 


the  next  December  ;  ex-President  Johnson  delivered  a  long 
speech,  which  had  no  strength  except  in  the  vigor  of  its 
invective;  and  finally  the  Senate  adjourned  on  the  25th  of 
March. 

General  Burnside  made  a  favorable  impression  on  his 
brother  Senators,  and  was  regarded  as  a  friend  of  kindness 
and  conciliation.  He  sa\v  nothing  alarming  in  the  elec 
tion  of  ex-Confederate  officers  to  positions  in  the  Federal 
government,  believing  that  their  loyalty  could  be  safely 
trusted,  and  he  wished  to  see  the  people  of  all  the  States  of 
the  Union  again  under  the  supervision  of  their  own  consti 
tuted  authorities. 


316  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

On  the  29111  of  May,  1875,  General  Burnside  attended 
the  celebration  of  Decoration  Day  at  the  Antietam  National 
Cemetery.  An  immense  crowd  had  gathered  from  the 
surrounding  country,  and  this  city  of  the  dead  was  peopled 
with  the  living,  come  to  pay  their  yearly  tribute  to  the 
brave  men  who  had  struggled  upon  the  mountains,  plains, 
and  hill-sides  of  Maryland  for  the  perpetuity  of  our  com 
mon-brotherhood,  and  had  given  the  measure  of  their  lives 
to  that  which  to  them  seemed  right  and  best. 

General  Burnside  arrived  at  Sharpsburg  early  in  the 
morning,  and  visited  the  stone  bridge  which  he  so  gallantly 
held  on  the  memorable  battle-day.  Afterwards  a  proces 
sion  was  formed,  which  escorted  the  general  to  the  ceme 
tery,  where  the  exercises  of  the  day  took  place  on  the 
stand.  General  Burnside,  after  alluding  to  the  ceremonies 
of  the  day,  spoke  of  the  strong  thoughts  and  feelings  that 
hung  upon  those  who  filled  these  graves  thirteen  years 
before,  and  left  their  comrades  in  their  resting-places,  to  go 
to  their  posts  of  duty.  Now  they  gladly  came  year  after 
year  to  the  performance  of  this  votive  service,  not  in  sad 
ness  but  in  tenderness  ;  not  in  distrust  but  in  hope  and  faith 
in  the  country's  greatness  and  happiness  ;  not  to  wish  de 
parted  comrades  back  again,  nor  to  lament  their  departure, 
but  to  remember  their  heroic  virtues  and  sacrifices,  to 
draw  lessons  from  them,  and  to  again  join  hearts  and 
hands  in  pledges  of  fraternity,  charity,  and  loyalty. 

"  Let  no  one,"  said  General  Burnside,  "  arrogate  to  him 
self  any  extraordinary  merit  for  his  service  to  the  country. 
Let  no  one  disparage  the  service  of  his  fellow-soldiers  who 
served  with  the  same  integrity  as  he.  The  private  who 
fought  gallantly  in  the  ranks  is  entitled  to  the  same  praise 
as  the  most  successful  general  in  the  field.  The  sergeant 
of  sharp-shooters  who  followed  his  regiment  on  the  hotly- 


GEN.    AMBJtOSE  E.    BURNS  IDE. 


317 


contested  field  unarmed,  because  his  rifle  was  broken  by  a 
shot,  but  who  took  the  first  opportunity  to  arm  himself  with 
the  musket  of  a  fellow-soldier,  with  which  he  did  good  ser 
vice,  and  afterward  yielded  his  life,  is  entitled  to  as  high  a 
place  on  the  roll  of  honor  as  the  gallant  general  who  fell 
at  the  head  of  his  charging  column.  Neither  let  us  boast 
of  great  merit  for  remaining  loyal  to  our  country  and  its 
government  in  its  perilous  hour  of  danger,  but  rather  let 
us  be  thankful  for  the  sound  wisdom  and  strength  of  pur 
pose  which  led  us  to  discover  the  right,  and  pursue  it,  amid 
all  discouragements  and  hardships.  Let  us  remember  that 
there  lie  buried  on  this  field  the  remains  of  brave  and  hon 
est  soldiers  who  met  us  here  in  deadly  conflict.  They 
were  our  brothers,  who  had  been  led  from  the  paths  of 
loyalty  by  a  system  of  political  instruction  and  a  course  of 
events  which  need  not  be  referred  to  on  this  occasion. 
Mi<rht  we  not  have  been  led  in  the  same  direction  under 

O 

like  circumstances?" 

"Comrades,"  said  General  Burnside,  in  conclusion, 
•'  whilst  performing  this  loving  duty,  let  us  banish  pride, 
exultation  and  hatred, —  if  we  possess  any  of  them, —  and 
unite  our  hearts  in  earnest  prayer  to  God  that  differences 
may  be  laid  away  —  that  all  breaches  may  be  healed,  and 
that,  as  a  united  people,  we  may  ever  remain  faithful  to 
our  beloved  country.  These  centennial  days  should  in 
spire  us  all  with  an  increased  patriotic  desire  for  unity, 
peace,  and  concord.  Our  hearts  should  be  filled  with 
gratitude  to  God,  that  the  government  handed  down  to  us 
bv  our  forefathers  of  the  Revolution  is  still  our  valued 
inheritance.'' 

At  the  dinner  on  Commencement  day  of  that  year,  at 
Brown  University,  ^ie  president  introduced,  with  compli 
mentary  remarks,  as  the  next  speaker,  "  General,  Gov- 


LIFE   AXD    PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

ernor.  Senator  Burnside.''  The  general,  thus  called  upon, 
said  :  '-I  really  believe  that  there  is  no  man  in  the  United 
States  who  has  a  higher  appreciation  of,  and  who  more 
truly  enjoys  such  reunions  than  I  ;  but  I  cannot  be  ex 
pected  to  speak  to  you  here  as  these  scholars  and  instruct 
ors  speak.  I  am  proud  of  the  degree  conferred  upon 
me  by  your  college  as  anybody  can  be,  but  I  did  not  get 
it  in  a  legitimate  way.  Circumstances  threw  me  to  the 
front  during  the  war,  and  I  became  identified  with  the 
people  of  Rhode  Island,  and  they  chose  to  believe  that  I 
did  some  service  to  the  country.  I  certainly  hope  they 
believe  I  did  my  best.  This  institution  has  chosen  very 
kindly  to  confer  upon  me  honors  which  I  cannot  say  I 
shall  always  deserve,  but  I  shall  always  conduct  myself 
in  that  way  that  the}'  will  not  be  led  to  regret  conferring 
them  upon  me.  I  always  feel  a  great  interest  in  reunions 
of  this  kind.  It  always  pleases  me  to  see  such  a  body  of 
representative  men  as  this  assembled  from  all  parts  of  the 
country.  It  assures  me  that  the  safety  of  the  country  is 
established  ;  that  the  security  of  the  country  is  established. 
I  am  satisfied  that  the  late  war  was  managed  and  handled 
by  the  hands  of  those  who  were  educated  in  the  institutions 
of  the  Xorth.  I  am  satisfied  that  the  New  England  sys 
tem  of  education  did  more  than  any  other  power  to  sup 
press  the  Rebellion,  and  I  can  give  no  better  advice  to 
young  men  than  this  one  thing  :  Keep  your  interest  for 
Alma  Mater  always  alive.  Always  remember  her  with 
affection  and  interest,  and  always  be  ready  to  do  every 
thing  in  your  power  to  promote  her  best  interest.  When 
you  find  yourself  forgetting  Alma<Mater  ;  when  you  find 
yourself  indolent  in  your  exertions  for  her  welfare,  remem 
ber  that  some  power  has  taken  possession  of  you  that  you 
had  better  shake  off.  The  influence  of  it  is  bad.  The 


GEX.    AMHROSE    E.    Kl'KXSIDE. 

moment  you  find  your  interest  in  that  institution  flagging, 
remember  that  you  are  taking  an  interest  in  something- 
else  that  is  doing  you  no  good,  but  which  must  do  you 
great  harm.  The  annual  meetings  of  the  graduates  of 
the  military  academy  at  West  Point  are  not  of  loner  stand- 

j  */  t> 

ing.  They  were  instituted  after  the  close  of  the  war,  and 
have  increased  in  interest  ever  since  the  first  was  held. 
The  annual  reunion  for  this  year  occurs  to-morrow,  but 
I  shall  be  unable  to  attend,  on  account  of  a  previous 
engagement.  But  I  feel  myself  in  a  great  measure  repaid 
for  the  loss  of  the  pleasure  of  that  occasion,  by  the  meet 
ing  I  have  had  with  you  to-day,  and  the  opportunity  I 
have  had  of  thanking  this  institution  for  the  honor  it  has 
conferred  upon  me." 

General  Burnside  participated  in  the  centennial  celebra 
tion  of  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  marched  over  the 
entire  route  in  the  ranks  of  the  Loyal  Legion.  There 
were  in  the  procession  several  military  organizations  from 
the  Southern  States,  and  a  number  of  officers  who  had 
served  in  the  Confederate  ranks.  The  celebration,  while 
commemorative  of  the  brave  achievements  of  the  past,  wras 
intended  to  be  productive  of  good  feeling  and  fellowship 
in  the  future.  At  a  banquet  given  by  the  Loyal  Legion, 
General  Burnside  was  called  out  and  received  with  twice 
three  cheers  and  a  tiger.  He  said  : 

"It  has  been  my  feeling  ever  since  the  conclusion  of  the 
war,  that  I  was  quite,  ready  to  do  everything  possible  to 
bring  about  reconciliation.  I  think  it  the  duty  of  all  sol 
diers  to  make  reconciliation  the  watch-word  of  the  hour, 
but  it  must  always  be  founded  upon  the  principle  that  it  is 
the  duty  of  every  soldier  and  citizen  of  this  country  to 
stand  by  the  Union  and  the  Constitution,  no  matter  by 
whom  assailed.  I  am  not  in  the  slightest  degree  disposed 


320 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


to  point  out  specifically  that  particular  set  of  persons  who 
were  responsible  for  that  mode  of  education,  and  for  bring 
ing  to  a  crisis  the  events,  which  brought  on  the  Rebellion  ; 
but  I  do  say  that  it  was  a  bad  education  which  made  men 
disloyal  when  they  ought  not  to  have  been,  and  that  there 
are  men  in  the  South  at  this  clay  who  know  that  to  be  the 
fact.  That  once  acknowledged,  then  I  shall  forever  blot 
out  all  differences.  I  would  give  full  and  implicit  trust  in 
every  one  at  the  South  for  having  honest  hearts,  believing 
that  the  Confederate  troops  were  not  maliciously  bad,  but 
that  their  conduct  was  the  result  of  bad  political  educa 
tion."  The  general  then  referred  to  his  election,  and  said 
that  he  was  not  one  of  those  who  believed  that  because  a 
man  has  been  in  the  army  he  is  not  qualified  for  civil  ser 
vice,  and  in  a  pleasant  way  said  he  believed  he  should 
make  a  reasonably  good  and  respectable  Senator. 

In  August,  1875,  President  Grant  was  a  guest  of  General 
Burnside  at  "  Edghill  Farm"  for  two  days.  On  the  first 
day  he  visited  the  ancient  town  of  Bristol,  which  had  been 
gaily  decorated  for  the  occasion.  The  streets  were 
thronged  with  well-dressed  people,  the  houses  were  decked 
with  flags,  and  there  was  attendance  of  veteran  associa 
tions  and  Grand  Army  posts.  The  next  morning  it  rained, 
but  in  the  afternoon  the  sun  shone  brightly,  and  General 
Grant  participated  in  a  Rhode  Island  clam-bake  near 
General  Burnside's  house,  with  about  two  hundred  invited 
guests.  When  they  were  seated  at  the  table  the  host, 
with  his  fine  face  beaming  with  enjoyment  and  pardonable 
pride,  stated  that  he  was  requested  by  General  Grant  to 
express  the  pleasure  this  visit  to  Rhode  Island  had  afford 
ed  him  and  his  gratification  at  the  cordial  welcome  extended 
to  him,  and  —  hesitating  and  smiling — "that  all  he  now 
desired  was  to  eat  his  dinner."  General  Grant  had  never 


GEN.    A  ^fBItOSE  E.    BURNS  IDE. 


321 


before  witnessed  the  process  by  which  the  mollusks  of 
Narragansett  Bay  were  converted  on  the  funeral  pyre  into 
fit  food  for  imperial,  royal,  or  republican  warriors.  He 
had  won  a  great  victory  at  Shiloh,  had  captured  Vicksburg, 
had  flanked  Lee  in  the  Wilderness,  and  finally  captured 
the  Confederate  legions  at  Appomattox  Court  House.  At 
"  Edghill  Farm,"  supported  by  General  Burnside,  he  led 
a  forlorn  hope  of  two  hundred  tried  and  trusty  friends 
"  into  the  breach,"  right  over  the  breast-works,  and  on 
through  the  smoke  and  slaughter  of  the  biggest  clam-pit 
since  King  Philip  fed  his  hungry  warriors  on  the  sandy 
shores  of  Mount  Hope  Bay. 

General  Burnside  was  a  warm  admirer  of  General  Grant, 
and  a  firm  supporter  of  his  administration,  although  he 
never  hesitated  to  express  his  opinions  at  the  White  House 
on  the  questions  of  the  day,  when  they  were  directly  at 
variance  with  those  of  the  President.  He  had  no  desire 
to  join  in  the  scrambles  for  "  patronage,"  but  it  was  his 
pleasure  and  his  pride  to  secure  civil  or  military  appoint 
ments  for  those  who  had  served  under  him,  especially  the 
members  of  his  personal  staff". 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 


IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  SENATE— DEATH  OF  MRS.  BURNSIDE  —  SEN 
ATORIAL  DUTIES— MODESTY  — EXPOSURE  OF  AN  AMICABLE  AR 
RANGEMENT—CHAIRMAN  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  OX  EDUCATION 
AND  LABOR  — HAYES  AS  PRESIDENT  —  TRIBUTE  FROM  SENATOR 
JONES  — HOSPITALITY  AT  WASHINGTON. 

GENERAL  BURNSIDE  was  promptly  in  his  seat  at 
the  commencement  of  the  first  regular  session  of  the 
Forty-fourth  Congress,  on  the  6th  of  December, 
1875.  He  left  Providence,  however,  with  great  reluctance, 
on  account  of  the  indisposition  of  Mrs.  Burnside,  who  was 
unable  to  accompany  him  as  had  been  projected.  He  was 
re-appointed  on  the  committees  of  Military  Affairs,  Com 
merce,  and  Education  and  Labor,  but  he  presented  no  busi 
ness  for  consideration.  Hastening  home  at  the  Christmas 
vacation,  he  found  his  wife  much  worse,  and  she  was 
taken  from  him  on  the  pth  of  March,  1876.  Her  death 
was  a  great  grief  to  her  bereaved  husband,  who  had 
retained  for  the  bride  of  his  youth  "  that  love  which  is 
peculiar  to  men  of  strong  minds  —  whose  affections  are 
not  easily  won,  or  widely  diffused."  A  woman  of  great 
strength  of  character  and  of  clear  judgment,  she  had  been 
his  support  and  encouragement  in  many  a  trying  hour, 
while  she  had  adorned  his  domestic  hearth  bv  her  virtues 


GEN.   AMBROSE  E    BURNS  IDE. 


323 


and  accomplishments.  During  their  entire  married  life 
General  and  Mrs.  Burnside  furnished  an  interesting  pic 
ture  of  conjugal  felicity  ;  united  not  only  in  affection  and 
interests,  but  in  tastes  and  inclinations.  Their  numerous 
friends  sincerely  mourned  when  this  ripen^d^arland  of 
hymeneal  intercourse  was  snapped  ;  when  the  devoted 
husband  was  smitten  with  sudden  gloom  like  the  visitation 
of  an  eclipse  ;  when  this  happy  social  picture  was  dashed* 
by  the  Almighty  hand  into  a  portrait  of  premature  loneli 
ness,  for  "one  was  taken,  the  other  left." 

Politics  does  not,  however,  recognize  private  grief,  and 
General  Burnside  soon  had  to  leave  for  Washington  to  sit 

O 

as  a  member  of  the  high  court  of  impeachment  which  tried 
General  Belknap,  Secretary  of  War.  He  was  sworn  in  as 
a  member  of  the  court  on  the  1 7th  of  April,  1876,  the  second 
day  of  the  trial,  and  he  participated  in  the  proceedings 
until  early  in  the  succeeding  June,  when  he  left  for  his 
rural  home  at  Bristol.  During  that  summer  the  few  who 
saw  him  say  that  life  seemed  to  him  very  dark  indeed. 
For  several  months  he  was  in  a  state  of  nervous  and  physi 
cal  prostration,  and  entertained  serious  thoughts  of  retiring 
from  the  office  of  Senator,  fearing  that  he  could  not  per 
form  the  duties  of  the  position  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  peo 
ple  of  Rhode  Island.  While  he  overcame  these  fears,  he 
never  ceased  to  mourn  the  Toss  of  his  wife,  although  he 
never  obtruded  his  grief.  He  had  many  quiet  and  lonely 
hours,  a*nd  he  looked  forward  with  a  certain  hopefulness 
and  trust  to  the  time  when  he  should  again  meet  the  dear 
friend  and  cherished  counselor  to  whom  he  had  given  his 
early  love. 

At  the  second  regular  session,  which  commenced  on  the 
4th  of  December,  1876.  General  Burnside  took  his  seat, 
determined,  if  possible,  to  attend  to  his  senatorial  duties. 


324 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


As  a  Senator,  he  displayed  the  same  desire  to  promote  the 
power  and  greatness  of  the  Republic  that  he  had  while  in 
the  army  and  in  the  service  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island, 
showing  continually  a  patriotic  sympathy  with  the  masses 
of  the  people.  He  was  a  regular  attendant  on  the  meet 
ings  of  the  committees  of  which  he  was  a  member,  and 
was  rarely  absent  at  the  prayer  of  the  chaplain,  prepara 
tory  to  the  daily  opening  of  the  Senate.  During  the  ses 
sion  he  seldom  left  his  seat,  and  listened  attentively  to 
everything  that  transpired.  Occasionally  he  would  say  a 
few  words  in  a  straightforward  way,  and  with  the  unhesi 
tating  air  of  being  irrefragably  in  the  right.  As  he  pro 
ceeded  every  word  he  uttered  sounded  like  the  utterance 
of  an  oracle.  Occasionally  he  would  glance  around  with 
an  expression  of  countenance  which  implied  a  doubt 
whether  his  hearers  thought  it  worth  while  that  he  should 
say  anything  more  in  support  of  his  proposition,  nor  was 
he  displeased  when  any  other  Senator  interrupted  him, 
especially  if  he  thought  the  interruption  was  made  in  good 
faith. 

General  Burnside's  modesty  was  remarkable.  Late  one 
night,  when  a  bill  providing  for  the  Electoral  Commission 
was  being  discussed,  he  said:  "Mr.  President,  in  the  dis 
cussion  of  important  questions  like  this  it  becomes  a  Sen 
ator,  young  in  the  service,  and  particularly  one  unskilled 
in  law  and  debate,  to  listen  attentively  to  the  arguments 
presented  by  eminent  members  of  the  Senate,  and  then  to 
apply  to  the  arguments  and  precedents  his  common  sense, 
patriotism,  and  sense  of  justice,  with  a  view  of  casting  a 
correct  vote.  In  that  view,  I  had  not  intended  to  detain 
the  Senate  for  a  moment  with  any  word  from  me  upon  the 
subject,  until  the  remarks  of  the  Senator  from  Indiana 
(Mr.  Morton),  the  other  day,  with  reference  to  the  intimi- 


GEX.    AMBROSE  E.    DURNSIDE. 


325 


dation,  or  rather  fear,  of  the  Senators  on  this  side  of  the 
house." 

General  Burnside  then  proceeded  to  request  Senator 
Morton  to  turn  to  a  debate  a  year  previous,  upon  the  bill 
introduced  by  him  for 
counting  the  electoral 
vote,  where  he  would 
find  himself  recorded 
in  almost  exact  vari 
ance  with  the  prin 
ciples  which  he  was 
then  announcing. 
The  general  conclud 
ed  by  saying  : 

Now,  Mr.  President,  I 
will  beg  the  honorable  Sen 
ator  from  Indiana  to  excuse 
me  from  occupying  a  posi 
tion  on  the  list  of  Senators 
who  support  this  bill  under 
the  influence  of  apprehen 
sion.  I  do  not  mean  by  this 

remark  to  imply  that  I  believe  such  a  list  of  Senators  exists,  nor  can  I 
believe  that  the  honorable  Senator  from  Indiana  meant  to  cast  that  reflec 
tion  upon  any  of  the  Senators  on  this  side  of  the  chamber,  \vho  have 
fought  under  his  leadership  so  many  gallant  political  battles.  I  do  not 
think  he  meant  that  thev  were  influenced  by  intimidation,  or  by  anything 
but  a  high  sense  of  duty  and  patriotism,  as  men  interested  in  the  welfare 
of  their  constituents  and  the  good  of  the  whole  country.  I  have  faith  in 
the  tribunal  or  commission  to  be  appointed  under  this  bill.  I  believe  it 
will  be  actuated  by  great  wisdom  and  a  pure  patriotism.  I  thank  the. 
Senate  for  their  attention. 


PRESIDENT    HAVES. 


In  February,  1877,  a  contumacious  witness  was  brought 
before  the  Senate,  charged  with  the  refusal  to  produce 
certain  papers.  General  Burnside,  however,  was  aware 


326  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

that  the  question  at  issue  had  already  been  settled  both  by 
a  committee  of  the  Senate  and  a  committee  of  the  House, 
and  he  said  : 

Botli  committees  have  dropped  examination  into  the  private  accounts 
of  Mr.  Tilden,  and  the  private  accounts  of  Mr.  Chandler  —  thev  have 
dropped  all  investigation  with  reference  to  such  matters.  That  is  a  fact 
known  to  everybody,  —  at  least,  I  have  been  told  so.  The  president  of  Mr. 
Tilden's  bank,  a  friend  of  mine,  and  the  cashier  himself  told  me  so.  The 
president  of  the  bank  took  the  accounts  of  Mr.  Tilden  out  of  his  pocket, 
and  said  he  was  quite  ready  to  present  those  accounts  whenever  called 
upon,  but  he  had  been  relieved  from  that  obligation.  I  was  informed 
that  certain  things  had  been  agreed  upon.  —  in  other  words,  a  compromise 
had  been  made  between  the  two  committees.  If  there  was  anything  at 
issue  here,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  witness  is  a  personal  friend 
of  mine,  I  should  vote  for  making  him  answer  all  proper  questions,  and 
I  should  be  in  favor  of  using  all  necessary  force  to  make  him  answer  such 
questions ;  but  I  see  no  reason  why  he  should  be  placed  under  any  re 
straint  at  this  time,  if  he  will  express  a  willingness  to  the  president  of 
the  Senate  to  go  before  the  committee  and  answer  all  proper  questions. 
I  submit  to  the  Senate  that  it  would  be  proper  for  the  president  of  the 
Senate  to  a$k  him  a  question  of  this  character,  and  if  he  is  willing  to 
answer  all  proper  questions  before  the  committee,  let  that  end  the  matter. 

The  witness  could  not  be  held  after  this  frank  statement, 
although  several  of  the  leading  Senators  on  different  sides 
of  the  chamber  disclaimed  all  knowledge  of  any  such  com 
promise. 

The  election  of  General  Hayes  as  President  of  the 
United  States  was  very  gratifying  to  General  Burnside, 
who  remembered  his  heroism  at  the  battle  of  Sharpsburg, 
and  gave  his  administration  a  cordial  support. 

At  the  special  session  of  the  Senate  which  began  on 
the  5th  of  March,  1877,  General  Burnside  was  made 
chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Education  and  Labor.  The 
other  members  of  the  committee  were  Messrs.  Patterson, 
Morrill,  Bruce,  Sharon,  Gordon,  Maxey,  Bailey,  and 
Lamar.  A  number  of  important  measures  were  soon  re- 


GEX.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 


327 


ferred  to  the  committee,  and  whenever  a  meeting  was 
called,  the  chairman  was  always  foun'd  seated  at  the  head 
of  the  table  at  the  appointed  hour,  with  the  papers  to  be 
considered  arranged  before  him. 

In  the  struggle  over  the  admission  of  Governor  Kellogg 
as  a  Senator  from  Louisiana,  General  Burnside  acted  with 
his  usual  impartiality.  "I  do  honestly  believe,"  said  he, 
"that  the  argument  of  the  Senator  from  Indiana  (Mr. 
Morton)  was  a  correct  argument,  and  that  Mr.  Kellogg 
was  elected  Senator  from  Louisiana  according  to  law  ;  but 
I  do  think,  inasmuch  as  there  is  another  body  claiming  to 
elect,  that  it  is  due  to  this  body,  and  due  to  the  country, 
that  this  case  should  be  referred  to  a  committee.  If  that 
committee  report  in  what  I  conceive  to  be  the  facts  of  the 
case,  Mr.  Kellogg  will  receive  my  vote  for  admission." 

The  Forty-fourth  Congress  not  having  made  any  appro 
priations  for  the  support  of  the  army,  President  Hayes 
convened  the  two  houses  on  the  I5th  of  October,  1877. 
An  attempt  which  was  made  at  this  session  to  reduce  the 
number  of  officers  in  the  army  met  with  decided  opposition 
from  General  Burnside.  "We  were,"  said  he,  "called 
together  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  for  the  pur 
pose  of  making  provisions  for  the  payment  of  those 
salaries  and  for  the  payment  of  the  men  in  the  field.  I 
conceive  it  to  be  my  duty,  and  I  am  free  to  say  that  I 
believe  it  to  be  the  duty  of  the  Senate,  to  at  once  proceed 
to  the  fulfillment  of  the  contract  with  those  officers,  and 
not  waste  time  in  discussing  the  propriety  of  increasing 
or  diminishing  the  army.  I  must  dissent  from  what  has 
been  said  with  regard  to  the  superfluity  of  officers,  and 
at  the  proper  time  I  shall  endeavor  to  give  to  the  Senate 
mv  reasons  for  that  dissent.  I  do  not  think  this  is  the 
proper  time.  It  is  a  fact  that  the  army  roll  shows  that  a 


328 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


given  number  of  officers  are  lawfully  employed  by  the 
government  of  the*  United  States.  They  have  been 
employed  at  certain  fixed  salaries.  They  are  entitled  to. 
those  salaries.  They  have  been  kept  out  of  those  salaries 
for  months." 

General  Burnside  was  much  esteemed  by  his  associates 
in  the  Senate.  When,  during  the  exciting  debate  on  the 
admission  of  Governor  Kellogg  as  a  Senator  from  Louis 
iana,  he  asked  Senator  Ben.  Hill  some  sharp  questions,  the 
eloquent  Georgian  replied:  "I  will  answer  the  Senator 
from  Rhode  Island,  for  whom  I  have  very  great  respect, 
and  I  would  not  say  anything  to  him  that  was  not  respect 
ful  for  any  consideration  on  earth,  although  my  language 
sometimes  appears  to  these  other  gentlemen  to  be  disre 
spectful,  when  I  do  not  mean  it."  He  then  answered  the 
interrogatories. 

O 

Senator  Jones,  of  Florida,  when  the  Senate  was  paying 
its  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  General  Burnside, 
bore  the  following  testimony  to  his  senatorial  popularity  : 

Every  man  who  dies  in  his  place  in  the  Senate  must  have  something 
said  about  him,  and  as  no  one  will  ever  be  found  to  express  anything  but 
praise  on  such  occasions,  it  has  been  accepted  as  a  truism  that  no  man 
ever  died  in  the  Senate  who  was  not  entitled  to  his  share  of  senatorial 
commendation.  Mow  often  has  it  been  noted  here  that  the  political  ad 
versary,  who  in  the  life-time  of  his  antagonist  could  find  in  him  nothing 
to  admire  or  praise,  after  death  had  ended  his  career  was  found  disclos 
ing  to  the  country  in  luminous  sentences  the  varied  virtues  and  talents 
which  distinguished  the  deceased.  I  rejoice,  Mr.  President, —  if  such  a 
word  is  at  all  permissible  on  such  an  occasion. —  that  I  am  able  to  say  over 
the  ashes  of  our  departed  friend,  what  it  was  often  my  pleasure  to  say 
when  he  was  living;  that  in  n'l  the  best  qualities  of  manhood,  in  heart 
and  generous  feeling,  in  unsullied  integrity,  in  gentleness  and  courage, 
in  conscientious  devotion  to  duty,  in  true  patriotism,  in  fidelity  to  friend 
ship,  in  contempt  of  everything  low  and  ignoble,  in  appreciation  of  all 
that  was  high  and  honorable,  in  charitv  and  love  for  his  species,  in  all 
the  boundless  resources  of  a  great,  manly  heart,  Senator  Burnside  has  left 


GE.Y.    AMIilfOSE  E.    BURNSIDE.  o2n 

no  superior  behind  him  in  this  chamber.  In  order  to  do  justice  to  this 
distinguished  man  it  is  only  necessary  to  portray  his  true  character.  He 
made  no  pretensions  as  a  master  of  oratory.  lie  aimed  at  no  distinction 
for  sharpness  in  debate,  lie  never,  within  my  recollection,  attempted 
any  display  on  this  floor.  The  plainness  and  pointedness  of  his  speech 
was  in  keeping  with  the  openness  and  candor  of  his  heart,  the  honesty 
of  whose  purposes  required  no  richness  of  vocabulary  to  relieve  it  from 
the  suspicion  of  insincerity. 

Kind  Nature,  in  the  bestowal  of  her  gifts,  both  to  animals  and  men,  has 
ever  regarded  the  wants  which  their  imperfections  created.  The  lion  is 
not  gifted  with  the  activity  of  the  deer,  but  he  is  armed  with  a  power  as 
well  adapted  to  his  protection  as  the  fleetness  of  the  other.  The  plain, 
open,  unsuspecting  heart  needs  not  the  polished  phrase  of  oratory  to  give 
effect  to  its  convictions.  The  man  whose  character  is  a  beacon-light  of 
truth,  honor,  and  integrity  will  be  felt  in  the  simplest  speech,  while  the 
artful  and  cunning  deceiver  requires  all  the  best  power  of  expression  to 
enable  him  to  convince  the  world  of  the  honesty  of  his  purposes  and  the 
integrity  of  his  principles. 

Need  I  appeal  to  the  Senate  to  verify  this  assertion?  When  our  de 
parted  friend  rose  in  this  chamber,  who,  even  among  his  political  adver 
saries,  ever  for  a  moment  questioned  the  truth  and  sincerity  of  his  state 
ments?  All  felt  that,  whatever  might  be  the  weight  of  his  argument,  it 
wns  the  emanation  of  a  mind  honestly  impressed,  and  free  from  every 
taint  of  deception  or  insincerity.  Well  do  I  remember  when,  during  the 
extra  session,  he  rose  in  his  seat  and  rebuked  this  side  of  the  chamber 
for  what  he  called  our  want  of  dignity  in  resorting  to  dilatory  motions ; 
and  when  reminded  by  my  friend  from  Kentucky  that,  on  a  previous  occa 
sion,  he  was  himself  an  obstructionist  by  retiring  to  the  cloak-room  to 
avoid  a  vote,  without  the  slightest  hesitation  or  effort  at  prevarication, 
he  admitted  his  delinquency,  and  said  if  God  would  forgive  him  he  would 
never  do  so  again.  Although  lie  took  his  place  in  the  Republican  ranks, 
and  was  a  true  party  man.  still  all  could  see  that  he  was  at  times  too 
broad  and  liberal,  too  good  and  kind,  to  great  a  lover  of  his  country  and 
his  fellow-man  to  follow  any  party  beyond  the  bounds  of  charitv,  justice, 
and  right.  While  he  was  one  of  those  who  had  drawn  his  sword  for  his 
government  when  force  was  to  be  met  with  force,  yet  every  one  knew 
that  his  countrymen  of  the  South,  in  the  days  of  sorrow  and  misfortune, 
received  nothing  but  kindness  and  generosity  at  his  hands.  In  his  inter 
course  here  with  men  of  all  parties  and  from  all  sections,  his  conduct  was 
always  that  of  a  kind,  conciliatory  spirit,  ever  considerate  of  the  feelings 
and  honor  of  others,  while  he  was  always  watchful  and  jealous  of  his 
own.  No  man  was  so  humble  or  lowly  as  to  be  below  his  consideration 
and  kindness,  and  no  man  was  so  high  as  to  be  above  his  contempt  and 


330 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


scorn,  when  his  conduct  merited  his  reproach.  He  combined  the  tender 
ness  and  gentleness  of  a  woman  with  the  lofty  courage,  the  high  bearing, 
and  stern  demeanor  of  a  Roman  senator.  And  while  his  great  heart 
would  melt  with  charity  for  the  sufferings  of  his  fellow-man,  when  the 
occasion  which  moved  him  had  passed  away  he  could  resume  his  place 
here  with  immovable  firmness  and  decision,  and  exact  every  formal 
right  that  was  due  to  the  dignity  of  his  position.  In  his  intercourse  with 
his  brother  Senators,  no  man  knew  better  than  he  did  where  to  draw  the 
line  between  overstrained  dignity  and  haughtiness,  and  vulgar  familiarity 
which  often  destroys  the  charm  of  social  life.  While  never  forgetting 
that  he  was  a  Senator  and  a  gentleman,  he  made  it  easy  for  all  to  approach 
him  and  converse  with  him,  and  if  the  sternness  of  integrity  repelled 
those  whose  motives  and  purposes  were  bad,  his  warm  heart  and  sym 
pathetic  nature  gave  a  sure  passport  to  his  presence  to  all  who  in  any 
way  were  deserving  of  recognition. 

General  Burnside  kept  house  in  the  city  of  Washington, 
having  with  him  his  faithful  colored  servants  who  were  so 
devoted  to  him.  He  was  very  hospitable,  and  it  was  his 
great  pleasure  to  gather  friends  around  his  social  board. 
Senator  Maxey,  who  had  been  his  classmate  at  West 
Point,  and  who  represents  Texas  in  the  Senate,  said  of 
him:  "When  'off  duty'  he  gathered  his  friends  around 
him  for  social  intercourse.  The  most  pleasant  nights  of 
the  few  I  could  spare  from  duty  in  Washington  have  been 
under  his  hospitable  roof,  where  he  delighted  to  gather, 
his  old-time  friends  without  the  slightest  regard  to  whether 
they  had  worn  the  blue  or  the  gray.  I  have  been  in  these 
gathering's  where  the  only  man  who  had  not  been  at  West 
Point  or  in  Mexico  with  Burnside,  would  be  his  beloved 
colleague,  the  senior  Senator  from  Rhode  Island,  Mr.  An 
thony,  who  was  always  on  such  occasions  an  honored 
guest,  contributing  his  full  share  of  valuable  instruction 
and  interesting  anecdote  in  a  kindly,  pleasant  way.  I 
think  Burnside  would  have  thought  any  party  at  his  house 
incomplete  without  Senator  Anthony.  Devotion  to  his 
friends  was  a  leading  trait  in  his  character.  Burnside  and 


GEN.    A  MBit  OS  E  E.    BURN  SIDE.  33  r 

I  differed  in  our  political  creeds,  yet  it  never  made  the 
slightest  difference  in  our  personal  relations.  Among  the 
first  of  the  telegrams  I  received  last  winter,  on  my  reelec 
tion,  was  one  from  him,  and  not  one  did  I  prize  more 
highly." 

In  Washington  society,  General  Burnside  was  a  great 
favorite,  winning  all  hearts  by  his  kindness  and  his  cor 
diality.  One  well  acquainted  with  the  American  metropolis 
wrote,  after  his  death  :  "  Externally,  General  Burnside  was 
a  showy  and  impressive  man,  with  a  great  deal  of  '  deport 
ment';  internally  he  was  something  still  better,  a  brave 
and  knightly  and  gentle  heart.  But  a  few  days  preceding 
his  sudden  death  I  was  at  a  suburban  party  among  a  little 
knot  of  Washington  and  Georgetown  old  families.  A 
bright  lady  guest  of  one  of  these  families,  residing  in 
Providence,  was  present,  and  she  talked  to  me  vivaciously 
about  Rhode  Island's  Senators,  both  of  whom  she  knew 
very  well  at  home.  She  said,  merrily,  that  it  was  always  a 
treat  to  meet  General  Burnside  at  a  party  ;  that  he  would 
come  up  in  his  superb,  soldierly  way  and  offer  a  cordial 
hand  to  her,  saying  :  '  How  do  you  do?  How  do  you  do, 
my  dear  madam?  How  do  you  do?'  and  without  another 
word,  go  on  to  the  next  acquaintance  similarly,  leaving 
her  with  an  impression  of  having  had  a  very  nice  talk  with 
him.  '  I  know  there  is  nothing  weighty  behind  that  grand 
manner,'  she  added  ;  '  I  know  he  adds  just  nothing  at  all 
to  the  intellectual  wealth  of  the  Senate  ;  but  what  a  treas 
ure  he  is,  after  all.  Rhode  Island  likes  him,  and  always 
will.'" 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 


DEATH  OF  SEXATOR  MORTON  — ENLISTMENT  OF  COLORED  RECRUITS 
—  COMMISSION  FOR  THE  REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  ARMY  — 
MILITARY  BANDS  — EIGHT-HOUR  LAW— IMPARTIAL  REPORTS. 

THE  first  session  of  the  Forty-fifth  Congress  termi 
nated  and  the  second  session   commenced  on  the 
3d  of  December,    1877,   the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States  having  prescribed  that  the  two  houses  shall 
meet  annually,  on  the  first  Monday  in  December.      Gen 
eral   Burnside   was   re-appointed    chairman  of  the    Com 
mittee  on  Education  and  Labor,  and  he  was  placed  second 
on  the  Committee  on  Military  Affairs. 

The  death  of  Senator  Morton,  a  few  weeks  before  the 
commencement  of  the  regular  session,  was  keenly  felt  by 
General  Burnside.  They  had  been  friends  in  their  boy 
hood,  and  they  used  to  pleasantly  recur  to  the  fact  that 
when  they  were  apprentices  Morton  had  made  a  hat  for 
Burnside,  and  Burnside  had  made  a  coat  for  Morton. 
They  had  left  their  neighboring  homes  to  enter  college  in 


CiE\.    A  MB R OS E   E.    BURXSIDE 


333 


the  same  year, —  Morton  as  a  student  at  Miami  University, 
and  Burnside  as  a  cadet  at  West  Point.  These  early  re 
lations  prompted  General  Burnside  to  make  some  interest 
ing  remarks  when  the  death  of  Senator  Morton  was  an 
nounced  in  the  Senate.  In  the  course  of  these  remarks 
he  said  : 

lie  never  \vearied  his  political  friends  bv  too  much  speech,  and  ahvavs 
occupied  his  opponents.  He  rarely,  if  ever,  indulged  in  personalities  or 
in  frivolities.  It  is  said  by  those  who  have  known  him  verv  intimately 
that  he  had  a  hard  struggle  with  himself  in  early  life  to  break  the  habit 
of  indulgence  in  wit  and  ridicule  which  his  keen  sense  of  humor  was  apt 
to  lead  him  into.  Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion,  Morton  at 
once  sprang  into  still  greater  prominence.  His  great  services  as  one 
of  the  war-governors  have  been  fullv  portraved  upon  this  occasion,  and 
I  will  not  detain  the  Senate  bv  reiterating  them.  It  will  not  be  amiss, 
however,  to  refer  to  a  few  of  his  more  prominent  characteristics.  His 
great  care  and  love  for  the  soldiers  of  his  state,  not  only  while  they  were 
in  the  field  but  after  their  return  to  their  homes,  won  for  him  their  great 
respect  and  affection.  He  was  eminently  patriotic.  Xo  sacrifice  was  too 
great  for  him  to  make  in  the  cause  of  his  countrv. 

He  was  a  lover  of  law  and  order,  and  was  averse  to  being  led  into  an 
arbitrary  exercise  of  authority  by  the  emergencies  of  the  war.  I  remem 
ber  while  I  was  in  command  of  the  Department  of  the  Ohio,  which 
department  embraced  the  State  of  Indiana,  that  I  had  occasion  to  issue  a 
general  order  with  a  view  to  reaching  persons  who  I  thought  were  indulg 
ing  in  treasonable  speeches.  Under  this  order,  some  prominent  citizens 
were  arrested,  and  among  them  a  prominent  citizen  of  Ohio,  and  one  of 
the  state  senators  of  the  State  of  Indiana.  Morton  urgently  argued  with 
me  against  the  wisdom  and  justice  of  the  arrest  of  these  citizens,  and 
demanded  the  release  of  the  state  senator,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that 
he  was  one  of  his  most  bitter  political  opponents.  He  had  ambition,  but 
never  allowed  it  to  blind  him  to  what  he  conceived  to  be  the  best  inter 
ests  of  the  countrv.  He  was  a  prominent  aspirant  for  the  nomination  by 
his  party  at  the  last  presidential  election,  and  was  doubtle'ss  sorelv  disap 
pointed  at  his  failure  to  receive  the  nomination,  but  when  he  wrote  his 
letter  of  advice  to  his  fellow-citizens  as  to  the  duty  of  the  hour,  all  were 
assured  that  this  failure  had  engendered  in  him  no  ill-will  toward  his 
party  or  to  the  distinguished  gentleman  who  received  the  nomination, 
'but  quite  the  reverse;  he  was  ready  and  anxious  to  give  him  his  full  sup 
port  and  encouragement. 


334  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

General  Burnside  paid  great  attention  to  military  matters, 
and  introduced  several  measures  which  he  believed  would 
'  greatly  promote  the  efficiency  of  the  army.  One  of  these 
measures  was  the  abolition  of  the  Ninth  and  Tenth  cav 
alry,  and  the  Twenty-fourth  and  Twenty-fifth  infantry  as 
colored  regiments,  under  existing  law,  and  the  enactment 
of  such  legislation  as  would  give  the  colored  citizens  all 
the  rights  of  any  citizen  to  enlist  in  any  arm  of  the  United 
States  forces,  engineers,  artillery,  cavalry,  infantry,  or  the 
signal  corps.  In  the  debate  on  this  bill  General  Burnside 
said  : 

Mr.  President,  the  position  of  an  enlisted  soldier  in  the  United  States 
Army  is  the  only  position  not  freely  open  to  our  colored  citizens,  and 
lean  see  no  reason  why  they  should  not  be  as  free  in  this  respect  as  in 
all  others.  If  the  colored  people  are  fit  for  soldiers  at  all  they  should  be 
enlisted  for  any  duty  for  which  they  may  be  personally  qualified,  and 
assigned  to  the  corps  where  the  public  interests  require  their  services. 
The  mode  of  assignment  should  be  left  to  the  Secretary  of  War  and  the 
officers  of  the  army  properly  intrusted  with  such  duties.  It  would  be  a 
waste  of  time,  after  all  the  discussion  of  past  years  in  reference  to  the 
rights  of  the  colored  people,  to  enter  into  an  elaborate  argument  to  prove 
that  they  have  the  same  rights  of  enlistment  and  assignment  as  other 
citizens.  It  is  objected  that  the  mingling  of  colored  soldiers  with  white 
ones  would  be  a  hardship  to  the  whites.  I  can  see  no  justice  in  this 
argument.  If  it  is  a  hardship  to  the  white  citizens  of  our  country  to 
associate  with  the  colored  citizens  in  the  performance  of  public  duties, 
and  if  the  rights  of  colored  men  are  to  be  restricted,  then  the  rule  should 
apply  to  all  public  positions.  The  right  to  go  to  the  polls,  the  right  to 
hold  state  and  national  offices,  the  right  to  occupy  a  seat  upon  this  floor, 
the  riyht  to  occupy  the  Presidential  chair,  should  rest  jn  the  white  man. 
What  would  be  thought  of  a  statute  which  required  that  four  specified 
states  should  be  represented  by  colored  Senators,  particularly  if  by  im 
plication  it  took'from  the  other  states  the  right  to  send  colored  Senators? 
We  have  upon  this  floor  an  honored  representative  of  the  colored  race, 
who  is  respected  by  all  of  us,  and  with  whom  we  are  all  glad  to  be  associ 
ated  ;  but  he  does  not  come  here  because  of  a  law  requiring  that  Missis 
sippi  should  send  a  colored  Senator.  He  is  here  because  his  fellow-citi 
zens  of  that  state  have  honored  him  by  their  free  suffrages.  Any  other 
state  in  this  Union  can  send  here  a  colored  Senator,  and  if  he  conducts 
himself  honorably  and  properly  he  will  be  respected. 


GEX.   AMBROSE  E.    DURNSIDE. 


335 


The  right  to  enlist  in  the  naval  service  of  the  United  States  has  ahvav.s 
rested  with  the  colored  people,  and  there  is  no  disposition  on  the  part  of 
the  naval  olYicers  to  have  that  right  restricted. 

I  grant,  Mr.  President,  that  there  is  a  division  of  opinion  in  the  armv 
upon  the  question  of  enlisting  colored  men  in  the  armv;  I  mean  upon 
the  subject  of  mixing  the  white  and  colored  men  in  the  same  regiment; 
but  there  is  no  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  lack  of  wisdom  in  the  pres 
ent  organization  of  the  four  regiments  referred  to  in  this  bill.  The  gen 
eral  of  the  army  and  the  general  officers  in  command  of  the  departments 
in  which  these  regiments  serve,  agree  in  the  opinion  that  the  present 
system  of  enlisting  colored  men  is  bad.  Among  the  evils  of  the  present 
organization  of  these  regiments  is  the  great  difficulty  at  times  in  keeping 
their  ranks  filled.  Just  now  there  is  great  trouble  in  getting  colored 
recruits,  so  that  the  ranks  of  the  colored  cavalry  regiment  in  New  Mexico 
are  but  half  filled,  and,  although  white  recruits  are  abundant,  they  cannot 
be  assigned  to  this  regiment. 

But,  Mr.  President,  I  base  my  argument  in  this  matter  upon  the  high 
ground  that  the  colored  man  should  be  allowed  to  enlist  in  any  arm  of 
the  service  he  may  choose,  if  he  is  found  by  the  recruiting-officer  to  be  a 
suitable  man,  and  that  he  should  be  assigned  by  the  proper  authorities 
to  the  corps  for  which  he  is  best  suited,  and  in  which  his  services  will 
most  conduce  to  the  public  good. 

When  the  army  appropriation  bill  came  before  the  Sen 
ate,  General  Eurnside  moved  to  strike  out  from  the  second 
to  the  twenty-seventh  sections,  inclusive,  and  to  insert 
twenty-six  new  sections  prepared  by  him,  reducing  the 
army  to  a  peace  establishment.  This  was  not  accepted, 
but  a  commission  was  authorized,  to  consist  of  three  Sen 
ators,  three  Representatives,  and  three  officers  of  the  army, 
to  whom  the  whole  subject  matter  of  reform  and  reorgani 
zation  of  the  army  was  referred.  This  commission  was 
directed  to  orirefully^  and  thoroughly  examine  into  the  mat 
ter,  with  reference  to  the  demands  of  the  public  service,  as 
to  the  number  and  pay  of  men  and  officers,  and  the  pro 
portion  of  the  several  arms  ;  and  also  as  to  the  rank,  pay, 
and  duties  of  the  several  staff  corps,  and  whether  any  and 
\vhat  reductions  could  be  made,  either  in  the  line,  field,  or 
staff,  in  numbers  or  in  pay,  by  consolidation  or  otherwise, 


336  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC   SER  \  'ICES    OF 

consistently  with  the  public  service,  having  in  view  a  just 
and  reasonable  economy  in  the  expenditure  of  public 
money,  the  actual  necessities  of  the  military  service,  and 
in  the  capacity  for  rapid  and  effective  increase  in  time  of 
war. 

Another  bill  which  General  Burnside  introduced  was 
one  prohibiting  bands  in  the  United  States  Army  from  per 
forming  for  private  individuals,  and  thus  going  into  com 
petition  with  professional  musicians.  Some  of  the  Sen 
ators  were  disposed  to  ridicule  this  measure,  and  Mr.  In- 
galls,  of  Kansas,  suggested  that  in  order  to  make  the  bill 
complete  it  should  provide  that  any  citizen  of  the  United 
States  not  in  the  military  service,  who  dared  to  listen  to  a 
military  band  without  permission  of  the  commander,  should 
be  tried  by  drum-head  court-martial  and  shot  to  death. 

J 

This  humorous  criticism  was  not  acceptable  to  General 
Burnside,  who  said  in  reply  : 

Mr.  President :  I  take  it  that  all  subjects  brought  before  the  Senate  on 
behalf  of  a  respectable  body  of  citizens  of  the  United  States  are  entitled 
to  respectful  consideration.  Some  Senators  have  a  greater  po\ver  of 
ridicule  than  others.  Some  Senators  have  a  way  of  handling  subjects 
that  are  presented  to  them  in  that  mode.  I  myself  do  not  possess  that 
power;  I  do  not  aspire  to  it;  .if  I  did  I  could  not  reach  it.  When  any 
subject  is  presented  to  me  under  a  petition  of  a  respectable  body  of  citi 
zens,  I  endeavor  to  give  that  subject  my  direct  attention.  A  respectable 
body  of  citizens  of  the  city  of  Ne\v  York  presented  a  respectful  petition, 
which  was  referred  to  the  Military  Committee.  There  was  a  disagree 
ment  in  that  committee.  A  majority  of  the  committee  decided  to  report 
adversely  upon  that  petition.  I  was  in  the  minority.  One  of  the  most 
respectable  Senators  in  this  bodv.  interested  in  the  welfare  of  his  con 
stituents,  requested  me  to  make  a  minority  report.  I  did  make  a  minority 
report.  I  drew  a  bill,  and,  by  the  unanimous  consent  of  this  Senate,  I 
introduced  that  bill,  and  it  was  placed  upon  the  calendar. 

Now.  neither  the  Senator  from  Kansas  nor  any  other  Senator,  no 
matter  what  his  power  of  ridicule  may  be.  has  any  right  whatever  to 
endeavor  to  drive  me  from  a  strong  position.  No  matter  how  small  the 
subject  is,  every  Senator  is  entitled  to  respectful  consideration.  The 


(,EX.    AMBROSE    E.    KURXSIDE. 


337 


Senator's  power  of  ridicule  may  be  greater  than  mine  ;  but  it  has  no  effect 
upon  me  whatever.  I  shall  do  my  duty,  without  reference  to  him  or  to 
any  other  Senator  on  this  floor.  I  paid  proper  respect  to  this  petition. 
If  I  had  had  the  least  idea  that  it  was  going  to  occupy  so  much  valuable 
time  at  the  close  of  the  session  I  should  never  have  moved  it;  I  should 
have  said  to  the  Senator  from  New  York  that  it  would  be  better  not  to 
bring  this  subject  up,  because  some  Senator  probably  would  be  disposed 
to  ridicule  it.  I  certainly  do  not  want  to  take  up  the  time  of  the  Senate 
by  any  such  thing  as  that.  I  say  it  is  unbecoming  a  Senator,  I  do  not 
care  who  he  is,  to  use  the  time  of  the  Senate  in  any  such  wav. 

If  Senators  think  this  measure  is  not  worthy  of  consideration,  let  some 
one  get  up  and  meet  the  question  fairly  and  squarelv,  and  move  for  its 
indefinite  postponement.  There  is  no  such  thing  as  ridiculing  a  measure 
of  this  kind.  There  is  a  body  of  musicians  in  the  city  of  Xew  York  who 
are  interested  in  the  measure.  Their  rights  are  as  good  as  the  rights  of  the 
Senator  from  Kansas  and  of  the  Senator  from  Virginia.  I  will  state  to 
the  Senator  from  Virginia  very  plainly  that  in  my  estimation  it  would  be 
a  wise  provision  if  members  of  Congress  were  made  to  attend  to  the  pub 
lic  business  and  look  after  the  interests  of  the  people,  giving  their  whole 
time  and  attention  to  legislative  matters.  We  should  get  along  better. 
Nothing  on  the  face  of  this  earth,  in  my  opinion,  is  so  demoralizing  as 
for  members  of  Congress  to  be  interested  in  outside  things.  I  do  not 
care  whether  they  are  lawyers,  doctors,  merchants,  farmers,  or  anything 
else,  the  more  attention  they  can  give  to  the  public  interests  the  better 
olTthis  country  is.  I  sav  to  the  Senator  from  Kansas,  or  to  any  other 
Senator,  that  when  he  wants  to  drive  me  from  any  position  I  have  taken 
he  must  not  attempt  to  do  it  by  ridicule. 

General  Burnside,  as  a  member  of  the  Committee  on 
Education  and  Labor,  was  opposed  to  the  act  constituting 
eight  hours  a  legal  day's  work  for  all  laborers,  workmen, 
and  mechanics  in  the  employ  of  the  government  of  the 
United  States.  Said  he  : 

That  the  government  of  the  United  States  shall  pay  men  for  eight 
hours'  work  the  Same  amount  of  money  that  is  paid  by  private  establish 
ments  outside  for  ten  hours'  work  is  simply  absurd.  It  is  not  honest  and 
right.  It  is  unjust  to  the  other  workmen  of  the  United  States.  The  main 
body  of  working-men  in  the  United  States  do  not  want  anv  such  measure 
as  this  passed.  They  do  not  want  a  privileged  class  of  workmen  in  the 
government  work-shops.  No  man  in  this  Congress  is  more  interested  in 


338  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

the  welfare  of  the  working-man  than  I  am  ;  I  give  that  as  much  thought 
almost  as  I  do  any  other  subject.  There  is  nothing  within  reason  that  I 
can  be  called  upon  to  do  to  relieve  the  wants  of  the  working-men  of  this 
countrv,  that  I  will  not  do  ;  but  I  will  not  do  an  unjust  act.  I  will  not  do 
a  thing  thnt  is  unjust  to  the  working-men  of  the  United  States  as  a  bodv. 
for  the  benefit  of  two  or  three  thousand  employes  of  the  government  of 
the  United  States.  The  resolution  on  its  face  is  absurd  and  unjust  and 
wrong. 

Every  matter  referred  to  General  Burnside  in  a  commit 
tee  of  which  he  was  a  member,  received  his  careful  and 
conscientious  examination.  Many  of  the  cases  affected 
those  with  whom  he  had  had  intimate  relations,  either  in 
the  old  army  or  in  the  Union  forces,  yet  he  sat  in  judgment 
on  them  with  marked  impartiality.  "  J  never  knew  him," 
said  Senator  Maxey,  who  served  on  the  same  committee, 
"  to  swerve,  in  a  report  of  a  case  submitted  to  him,  a  hair's 
breadth  from  what  he  believed  the  right  of  the  case.  He 
has  frequently  said  to  me,  'I  am  sorry  I  had  to  make  that 
report,  but  how  could  I  help  it?'  The  French  say, 
noblesse  oblige.  In  this  country,  thanks  to  a  free  govern 
ment,  we  have  no  hereditary  nobility  ;  but  we  have  a 
nobility  far  above  any  that  earthly  title  can  give,  —  the  no 
bility  God  impresses  on  the  honest  man,  —  and  that  nobil 
ity  obliged  Burnside  to  do  right  as  he  understood  right." 

One  of  his  reports  was  on  the  petition  of  an  officer  who 
had  become  addicted  to  the  use  of  intoxicating  drinks,  and 
had  resigned.  It  was  accompanied  by  evidence  showing 
that  he  had  from  that  time  led  a  very  industrious  life,  and 
asked  to  be  restored  to  his  rank ;  but  General  Burnside 
felt  that  this  would  be  injurious  to  the  service,  and  made 
an  unfavorable  report,  in  which  he  said:  "Whilst  the 
individual  sympathies  and  best  wishes  of  the  members 
of  the  committee  are  with  Captain  Owen,  they  cannot,  as 
public  officers,  recommend  the  establishment  of  a  prece- 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE.  o->g 

dent,  which  would   be  made  by  the  favorable  considera 
tion  of  the  petition." 

The  special  military  commission,  of  which  General 
Burnside  was  chairman,  was  in  session  almost  continu 
ously  during  the  summer  months  of  1878,  at  the  White  Sul 
phur  Springs  of  Virginia.  This  was  a  cool  and  healthy 
location,  where  the  members  of  the  commission  were  free 
from  the  importunities  of  officers  who  might  be  affected 
by  the  result  of  their  deliberations.  Later  in  the  season 
the  commission  adjourned  to  >;  Edghill  Farm,"  where  its 
industrious  chairman  distinguished  himself  as  a  hospitable 
host. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 


WORK  OK  TIU-:  SPECIAL  MILITARY  COMMISSION  —  ARMS  TO  HE  MAN 
UFACTURED  IX  PRIVATE  ESTABLISHMENTS —APPOINTMENT  OF 
STAFF-OFFICERS  —  SOCIAL  SCIENCE  IX  SCHOOLS  —  ESTIMATE  OF 
GENERAL  HURNSIDE'S  CHARACTER,  BY  SENATOR  EDMUNDS. 

THE  third  session  of  the  Forty-fifth  Congress  was 
commenced  on  the  2cl  of  December,  1878.  On 
the  second  day  of  the  session  General  Burnside 
offered  a  resolution,  which  was  passed,  directing  the  Com 
mittee  on  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds  to  inquire  into  the 
expediency  of  directing  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to 
purchase  so  much  of  the  lot  of  land  upon  which  the  old 
custom-house  at  Providence  stood,  with  the  view  of  hav 
ing  a  new  custom-house  erected.  He  was  ever  on  the 
alert  to  benefit  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  by  the  improve 
ment  of  navigable  waters,  the  building  of  light-houses,  the 
construction  of  break-waters,  and  the  erection  of  public 
buildings. 

The  special   military   commission   was   permitted  to   sit 
while  Congress  was  in  session,  that  it  might  review  and 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    JWKNSfDE.  o^j 

perfect  its  labors  during  the  recess.  In  due  time  it  per 
fected  a  bill,  which  General  Burnside  reported  to  the  Sen 
ate  on  the  1 2th  of  December.  The  bill  was  printed,  and 
a  few  days  afterwards  General  Burnside  thus  explained  its 
leading  provisions  : 

Mr.  President:  The  bill  reported  by  the  Joint  Committee  on  the  Re 
organization  of  the  Army  is  voluminous,  not  because  an  entire  change 
has  been  made  in  all  the  laws  relative  to  the  army  and  its  government, 
but  because  it  is  a  combination  of  all  the  new  sections  proposed  by  the 
committee,  the  unchanged  sections,  and  certain  regulations  and  customs 
of  service  which  it  is  now  proposed  to  make  law. 

The  committee  deemed  it  wise  to  report  a  condensed  code  made  up  of 
all  laws  relating  to  the  army,  and  arranged  in  proper  order.  Officers  of 
the  army,  as  a  body,  are  law-abiding  men.  They  will  often  question  the 
•wisdom  and  propriety  of  regulations  made  by  their  superiors  in  authority, 
but  they  rarely  question  the  law.  Nearly  all  the  troubles  between  the 
staff  and  the  line  —  and  they  have  been  numerous  —  have  arisen  from 
uncertainty  as  to  the  meaning  and  authority  of  regulations  and  customs 
of  service.  For  this  reason  many  of  the  regulations  and  customs  of  ser 
vice  have  been  ingrafted  upon  this  bill,  and  if  it  meets  •with  favorable 
action  from  Congress  they  will  become  law,  and  cease  to  be  subjects 
of  discussion  and  discord. 

In  preparing  the  part  of  the  bill  which  relates  to  reorganization,  the 
committee  tried  to  keep  in  view  both  the  efficiency  and  economy  of  the 
service.  The  action  of  the  last  session  of  Congress  in  reference  to  the 
size  of  the  army  was  taken  as  a  guide  by  the  committee,  and  they  at 
once  settled  upon  25,000  soldiers  as  the  basis  of  organization.  It  was 
then  decided  that  the  number  of  general  officers  designated  in  the  bill  was 
the  minimum  number  required  for  a  force  of  this  size,  and  I  believe  no 
one  will  contend  that  the  bill  provides  for  too  many  general  officers. 

It  was  decided,  after  much  discussion,  that  the  small  battalion  organi 
zation,  which  means  three  or  more  battalions  to  a  regiment,  is  better 
adapted  to  modern  arms  and  modern  warfare  than  our  old  regimental  or 
large  battalion  organization,  which  is  one  battalion  to  a  regiment,  and 
that  system  was  ingrafted  upon  the  bill.  It  was  then  decided  that  the 
staff  department  should  be  so  reorganized  as  to  give  to  the  officers  of  the 
line  education  and  experience  as  staff-officers,  and  staff-officers  education 
and  experience  as  line-officers. 

To  accomplish  this  it  was  necessary  to  make  parts  of  the  corps  of  the 
line  skeleton  organizations,  and  to  make  large  reductions  in  the  number 
of  officers  in  the  staff  departments. 


342 


LIFE   AND  PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


It  was  also  decided  to  make  the  organization  an  elastic  one  ;  so  that 
the  army  in  a  sudden  emergency  can  be  rapidly  increased  in  rank  and 
file  and  company  officers,  without  necessarily  increasing  the  number  of 
general,  field,  or  sta,ff-officers. 

The  bill  proposes  that  the  regiments  be  composed  of  four  battalions, 
three  of  which  are  to  be  officered  permanently.  It  also  proposes  that  in 
the  infantry  and  artillery  regiments  but  two  of  the  battalions  shall  be 
manned,  but  in  the  cavalry  regiments  three  battalions  shall  be  manned 
for  the  present ;  and  the  company  officers  not  on  duf.y  with  battalions 
shall  be  detailable  for  duty  in  the  staff  departments,  and  shall  be  changed 
from  time  to  time,  as  provided  for  in  the  bill. 

The  proportion  of  the  different  arms  to  each  other  was  decided  upon  as 
follows,  namely:  Five  regiments  of  artillery,  eight  regiments  ofcavalry, 
and  eighteen  regiments  of  infantry.  It  is  most  likely  that  a  few  years 
hence  some  of  the  cavalry  regiments  can  be  changed  to  infantry,  and 
thus  diminish  the  expense  of  the  army.  The  elasticity  is  provided  for 
by  giving  to  the  President  the  authority  to  increase  the  number  of  solL 
diers  in  each  company  to  100  in  the  cavalry  and  to  125  in  the  infantrv 
and  artillery,  to  transfer  soldiers  from  one  company  or  battalion 
to  another,  and  to  man  the  unmanned  third  battalions,  provided  that 
until  otherwise  ordered  by  Congress  the  number  of  soldiers  shall  not 
exceed  25,000;  but  in  case  an  emergency  should  arise  to  require  Congress 
to  authorize  a  large  increase  of  force,  the  President  can  at  once  officer 
and  man  the  fourth  battalions,  and  thus  place  the  regiments  upon  a  war 
footing,  which  will  give  the  cavalry  regiments  1,600  men  each,  and  the 
infantry  2,000  men  each,  making  if  necessary  an  aggregate  force,  includ 
ing  engineer  soldiers,  of  about  60,000  men,  without  increasing  the  num 
ber  of  regimental  organizations. 

The  interchangeability  between  the  line  and  the  staff  is  established  by 
making  all  the  officers  of  the  staff  department  below  the  rank  of  major 
detailable  from  the  line  of  the  army,  as  heretofore  indicated,  and  reducing 
the  number  of  field-officers  of  the  staff  departments  to  the  number  abso 
lutely  required  for  the  present  service.  Promotion  among  the  field-offi 
cers  in  these  staff  departments  is  to  be  made  by  seniority,  except  as  to 
the  chiefs,  who  can  be  selected  from  the  field-officers  of  any  corps  in  the 
armv.  As  vacancies  in  the  lowest  grade  occur  they  are  to  be  filled  by 
officers  of  the  line  who  have  shown  merit  and  efficiency  in  their  service 
in  said  departments.  The  result  of  this  reorganization  will  be  to  dimin 
ish  the  number  of  officers  on  the  active  list  by  333. 

The  bill  explains  itself  fully  as  to  the  method  "of  taking  care  of  the 
officers  on  the  retired  and  reserved  lists,  and  the  committee  feel  that  its 
provisions  on  this  subject  are  liberal.  None  of  the  general  officers  are  to 
be  thrown  out  of  service  at  once,  but  no  promotions  are  to  be  made  until 


(;E\.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 

they  have   been   reduced   to   five,   and    thereafter  the   number    shall   not 
exceed  six. 

It  was  decided  by  the  committee  that  no  more  arms  be  manufactured  by 
the  Ordnance  Department,  but  that  they  should  be  purchased  either  by 
contract  or  in  the  open  market.  It  must  be  evident  to  every  one  that 
action  of  this  kind  will  stimulate  the  invention  and  manufacture  of  arms 
throughout  the  country,  and  that  under  this  system  the  government  can 
more  readily  supply  itself  with  efficient  arms  in  case  of  an  emergency  than 
it  could  under  the  present  system.  To  say  that  the  arms  procured  by 
the  government  in  this  way  will  not  be  as  serviceable  as  if  manufactured 
by  the  government,  is  to  say  thnt  ordnance  officers  will  become  less  ex 
pert  as  inspectors  under  the  new  system  than  the  old,  which  I  cannot 
believe.  Xo  badly  manufactured  arms  will  be  received  by  the  govern 
ment  of  the  United  States,  except  by  the  neglect,  incapacity,  or  dishon 
esty  of  the  inspecting  officers. 

General  Burnsicle,  having  made  this  general  statement 
concerning  the  bill,  proceeded  to  explain  in  detail  a  con 
siderable  number  of  its  sections.  Some  of  these  sections 
had  bee,n  denounced  by  the  opponents  of  the  bill,  as  cur 
tailing  the  powers  of  the  Secretary  of  War.  This  the 
general  denied,  declaring  that  in  no  way  had  an  attempt 
been  made  to  abridge  the  secretary's  powers ;  but  that 
they  were  as  full  and  distinct  as  they  could  be  made  under 
the  Constitution,  and  larger  than  they  then  were  made  by 
statute  law. 

Questioned  by  Senator  Matthews,  of  Ohio,  as  to  whether 
the  bill  limited  the  power  of  the  Commander-in-Chief,  Gen 
eral  Burnside  said  that  a  new  section  had  been  introduced 
into  the  army  regulations  to  insure  efficiency  in  the  staff 
departments,  "but  it  limited  the  President  no  more  in  this 
respect  than  lie  is  now  limited  as  to  other  appointments. 
The  President  appoints  a  cadet  to  West  Point,  but  he  can 
not  appoint  him  under  the  present  law  or  custom  unless  he 
is  recommended  by  the  member  of  Congress  from  the  dis 
trict  from  which  that  cadet  is  to  be  appointed.  Under  this 
bill  he  cannot  appoint  an  officer  in  the  staff  departments 


344 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SEIfl-'ICES    OF 


unless  he  is  in  the  army.  The  junior  officers  in  the  staff 
departments  are  from  time  to  time  to  be  promoted  to  vacan 
cies  in  those  departments  ;  and  so  there  must  be  some 
method  by  which  the  appointments  can  be  made.  Other 
wise  they  will  be  left  entirely  to  the  will  of  the  President, 
and  the  President  can  make  them  from  any  part  of  the 
army  without  reference  to  their  service  in  the  department 
—  can  make  them,  in  other  words,  at  the  solicitation  of 
friends  outside  of  the  army,  and  friends  who  know  nothing 
about  the  subject." 

In  concluding  his  remarks,  General  Burnside  said  that 
the  task  of  framing  a  bill  to  reduce  the  army  had  not  been 
a  pleasant  one,  and  could  he  feel  that  the  best  interests  of 
the  country  and  of  the  army  would  be  served  by  the  fail 
ure  of  the  bill,  he  would  gladly  oppose  its  passage,  and 
would  be  delighted  to  know  that  some  of  his  old  military 
friends  were  not  to  be  disturbed  in  their  positions.  "But," 
said  he,  "I  am  satisfied  that  reorganization  and  reform  is 
necessary,  and  unless  it  is  accomplished  under  some  sys 
tematic  and  considerate  plan,  reduction  will  be  very  soon 
made  under  a  hasty  and  inconsiderate  plan.  It  seems  to 
me,  therefore,  very  unwise  in  officers  of  the  army,  and 
particularly  in  the  officers  of  the  staff  departments,  to  re 
sist  proper  legislation  touching  this  subject." 

A  bill  introduced  by  General  Burnside,  and  referred  to 
the  Committee  on  Education  and  Labor,  of  which  he  was 
the  chairman,  received  some  humorous  criticisms.  It  was 
in  these  words  : 

Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  the  school  officers  shall  introduce,  as  a  part  of 
the  daily  exercises  of  each  school  in  their  jurisdiction,  instruction  in  the 
elements  of  social  and  moral  science,  including  industry,  order,  economv, 
punctuality,  patience,  self-denial,  health,  purity,  temperance,  cleanliness, 
honesty,  truth,  justice,  politeness,  peace,  fidelity,  philanthropy,  patriot- 


GEX.    AM/i/tOSE  E.    BURNS  IDE.  <*  ,  - 

o-lo 

ism,  self-respect,  hope,  perseverance,  cheerfulness,  courage,  self-reliance, 
gratitude,  pity,  mercy,  kindness,  conscience,  reflection,  and  the  will. 

SECTION  2.  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  teachers  to  give  a  short  oral 
lesson  every  day  upon  one  of  the  topics  mentioned  in  Section  i  of  this 
act,  and  to  require  each  pupil  to  furnish  a  thought  or  other  illustration 
of  the  same  upon  the  following  morning. 

Snx.  3.  That  emulation  shall  he  cherished  hetween  the  pupils  in  accu 
mulating  thoughts  and  facts  in  regard  to  the  noble  traits  possible,  and 
in  illustrating  them  by  their  daily  conduct. 

General  Burnside  asked  the  Senate  to  pass  this  bill,  to 
which  he  said  there  could  be  no  possible  objection.  "  I 
am  sure/'  said  he,  "that  some  of  the  legislative  bodies  of 
our  country  would  be  better  behaved  if  some  such  bill  as 
this  had  been  enforced  earlier  in  the  history  of  the  Repub 
lic."  The  Senate  was  not,  however,  disposed  to  pass  the 
bill,  although  much  of  it  was  stricken  out,  Senator  Eaton 
saying,  "I  should  as  soon  think  of  striking  the  part  of 
'  Hamlet'  out  of  the  play  of  Hamlet"  The  consideration 
of  the  bill  was  postponed. 

A  bill  to  promote  the  education  of  the  blind  received 
General  Burnside's  earnest  support.  "  It  had  been  the 
policy  of  the  government,"  he  said,  "  from  its  earliest  days, 
to  promote  education  of  all  kinds  throughout  the  country, 
by  gifts,  by  grants  of  both  lands  and  money.  I  do  not  see 
why  money  cannot  be  appropriated  to  promote  the  educa 
tion  of  the  blind,  as  well  as  land  to  promote  education  in 
agricultural  colleges.  Moneys  have  already  been  appro 
priated  by  the  government  of  the  United  States  specially 
for  the  education  of  the  deaf  and  dumb — 45,440  acres  of 
land  and  half  a  million  of  money.  Why  not  make  an 
appropriation  for  the  education  of  the  blind?" 

The  best  analysis  of  the  character  of  General  Burnside 

J 

while  he  was  a  Senator  was  made  after  his  death,  by  his 
able  and  accomplished  associate,  Senator  Edmunds,  of 
Vermont,  who  said  : 


346  LIFE   AND    PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

The  career  of  General  Burnside  exemplifies.  I  think,  in  an  eminent 
degree  the  life  of  a  warrior  who  does  not  admit  craft  or  indirection 
among  his  weapons.  Whether  right  or  wrong,  he  was  one  of  the  simplest 
and  most  direct  of  men.  Calculation  of  incidents  or  consequences  did  not 
seem  to  enter  into  the  measure  of  his  estimation  of  what  it  was  fit  for  him 
to  do,  so  far  as  it  regarded  its  effects  upon  himself,  in  going  forward  with 
any  enterprise  or  measure  in  hand.  If  what  was  proposed  appeared 
right  according  to  the  standard  that  commended  itself  to  him,  he  "  fol 
lowed  right  hecause  right  is  right,  in  scorn  of  consequence."  Invective 
and  ridicule  in  such  a  case  fell  upon  his  head  without  apparently  dimin 
ishing  in  the  least  degree  the  real  enthusiasm  with  which  he  held  fast  to 
and  endeavored  to  advance  whatever  cause  he  had  espoused.  I  have 
often  thought  when  I  have  seen  him — not  educated  in  the  law  in  its 
technical  and  precise  character,  nor  yet  largely  informed  in  the  wider 
realms  of  municipal  and  public  jurisprudence — stoutly  maintain  some 
proposition  which  but  for  the  necessary  conventionalities  of  all  systems 
of  government  and  all  relations  between  nations  would  have  been  proper, 
and  was  frequently  in  the  abstract,  how  noble  must  be  the  character  that 
for  the  sake  of  what  he  believes  does  not  hesitate  to  discard  the  force  of 
precedent  and  rebel  against  the  mandates  of  authority. 

Nor  can  we,  I  think,  who  act  our  short  parts  in  the  great  drama  of 
government — -a  stage  on  which  there  can  be,  humanly  speaking,  no  final 
drop-scene  —  fail  to  admit  how  valuable  to  the  continuing  interests  of 
society  are  the  elements  in  legislative  bodies  that  resist  the  force  of  prece 
dent,  that  have  small  respect  for  what  has  been  because  it  has  been,  that 
are  fettered  by  no  technicalities,  and  that  feel  as  free  as  if  the  world  had 
just  begun. 

The  tendency  to  a  blind  obedience  to  forms,  to  precedents,  and  to 
methods  is  thus  counterbalanced,  just  as,  reciprocally,  the  converse  ele 
ments  in  a  legislative  body  restrain  excess  in  the  opposite  direction. 
The  equation  and  sum  of  perfect  government,  as  we  on  this  continent 
understand  it,  is  thus  made  up.  But  this  is  not  the  proper  occasion  to 
enlarge  upon  these  interesting  topics.  Let  nvj,  rather,  as  I  join  his 
colleague  and  successor  in  mourning  his  untimely  departure,  testify  to 
the  charming  qualities  of  his  private  character.  I  have  known  him 
for  more  than  ten  years,  but  not  intimately  until  he  came  to  take  his 
place  in  this  great  conclave  of  the  representatives  of  states.  I  am  happy 
to  remember  that  since  then  I  have  enjoyed  frequently  his  unostenta 
tious  but  warm-hearted  and  almost  exuberant  hospitality,  and  have  been 
often  honored  with  his  apparently  unreserved  confidence  in  respect  of 
many  matters  of  public  concern  with  which  he  had  to  deal.  In  our 
merely  social  intimacy,  courtesy,  candor,  and  unfailing  kindness  of  heart 
were  his  constant  characte.ristics.  In  relation  to  his  connection  with  public 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BUR X SIDE. 


347 


nflfairs  and  measures,  he  received  praise  without  vanity  or  elation,  and 
criticism  without  annoyance.  Generous  and  gentle,  his  very  faults 
seemed  to  attract  the  sympathy  and  touch  the  sensibility  of  his  friends. 
He  has  left  us  without  warning,  not  as  a  deserter,  but  in  obedience  to  the 
power  that  dominates  both  senators  and  states.  May  his  future  be  as 
peaceful  and  happy  as  his  past  has  been  full  of  the  storms  of  war  and 
the  vicissitudes  and  labors  of  this  our  life. 


CHAPTER   XXXV. 


THE  DEMOCRATS  GAIN  POSSESSION*  OF  THE  SENATE  —  CHANGE 
OF  OFFICERS  — RHODE  ISLAND  PUBLIC  WORKS— SPEECH  ON 
THE  MONROE  DOCTRINE  — FAIR  PLAY  AT  WEST  POINT  — SOL 
DIERS  AND  SENATORS -RE-ELECTION  TO  THE  UNITED  STATES 
SENATE. 

THE  Democrats,  who  had  controlled  the  House  of 
Representatives  for  the  preceding  two  years,  had 
also  a  majority  in  the  Senate  at  the  commence 
ment  of  the  Forty-sixth  Congress.  A  knowledge  of  this 
had  prompted  them  to  secure  the  defeat  of  the  Legislative, 
Executive,  and  Judicial  Appropriation  bill  in  the  closing 
hours  of  the  Forty-fifth  Congress,  and  thus  to  render  it 
necessary  for  President  Hayes  to  convene  the  Forty-sixth 
Congress  on  the  4th  of  March,  1879.  The  Democratic 
majority  in  the  Senate,  which  then,  for  the  first  time  in 
eighteen  years,  controlled  that  body,  determined  to  change 
its  officers  and  servants, —  not  because  of  any  incompetency 


(JEX.    AMBROSE    E.    BURNS  IDE. 

or  neglect  of  duty  on  their  part,  but  in  obedience  to  the 
inexorable  decrees  of  political  partisanship.  The  Repub 
licans  had  retained  a  considerable  number  of  Democrats 
in  office  in  1861,  and  had  afterwards  appointed  others,  but 
the  Democrats  made  a  clean  sweep  of  all  officials  not  of 
their  partv,  with  the  exception  of  a  very  few,  whose  ser 
vices  could  not  be  dispensed  with.  Men  who  had  served 
the  country  during  the  war,  and  whose  especial  knowledge 
of  their  duties  could  not  be  denied,  were  summarily  dis 
charged,  that  their  positions,  which  they  had  creditably 
filled,  might  be  given  to  political  place-hunters  belonging 
to  the  Democratic  party.  "  We  are  responsible,"  said  Sen 
ator  Eaton,  "and  able  to  be  responsible,  for  the  carrying 
on  of  legislation,  and  we  intend  to  do  it  with  our  own  ser 
vants.  That  is  the  way  to  tell  it  and  to  talk  it." 

The  standing,  special,  and  joint  committees  of  the  Sen 
ate  were  also  changed,  and  placed  under  Democratic  con 
trol.  General  Burnside  was  deposed  from  the  chairman 
ship  of  the  Committee  on  Education  and  Labor,  which  was 
given  to  Mr.  Bailey,  of  Tennessee.  Then  came  Messrs. 
Gordon,  Maxey,  and  Randolph  ;  and  after  these,  four  Re 
publicans,  Messrs.  Burnside,  Merrill,  Bruce,  and  Sharon. 
General  Burnside  was  also  the  first  named  of  the  Repub 
lican  minority  on  the  Committee  on  Military  Affairs,  but 
he  was  dropped  altogether  from  the  Committee  on  Post 
Offices  and  Post  Roads. 

General  Burnside  was  ever  on  the  alert  to  promote  the 
success  of  some  public  work  in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island. 
Acting  in  concert  with  his  colleague,  Mr.  Anthony,  they 
secured  the  appropriation  of  large  sums  for  the  improve 
ment  of  Providence  River ;  for  a  harbor  of  refuge  at 
Block  Island,  connected  with  the  main  land  by  a  sub-ma 
rine  telegraph  ;  for  additional  light-houses  and  fog-signals 


350  LIFE  AND  PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

in  Narragansett  Bay,  and  for  increased  postal  facilities  at 
different  places.  Making  no  attempt  at  rhetorical  display 
or  brilliant  language,  he  would,  on  presenting  a  measure 
to  the  Senate,  state  the  reasons  whereby  it  should  be  enac 
ted  with  such  brevity  and  clearness  as  would  insure  its 
passage. 

True  to  the  Republican  party,  General  Burnside  always 
sustained  its  principles,  and  on  all  matters  of  general  leg 
islation  his  influence  and  his  vote  were  given  to  the  most 
meritorious  national  measures.  Among  these  was  the  im 
portant  question  of  the  Monroe  doctrine,  as  applied  to  the 
construction  of  an  inter-oceanic  canal.  He  had  introduced 
a  joint  resolution,  in  June,  1879,  relating  to  the  construction 
of  a  canal  across  the  Isthmus  of  Darien  by  European  pow 
ers.  The  next  regular  session  of  Congress  commenced 
on  the  ist  of  December,  1879,  anc^  on  ^iat  day  General 
Burnside  gave  notice  that  he  should  speak  on  the  inter- 
oceanic  canal  question  the  next  day.  He  did  so,  and  was 
listened  to  with  marked  attention,  speaking  as  follows  : 

Mr.  President:  I  have  requested  that  the  joint  resolution  introduced 
by  me  in  June  last  and  referred  to  the  Senate  Committee  on  Foreign 
Relations,  might  be  temporarily  withdrawn  from  the  consideration  of 
that  committee,  that  I  may  briefly  state  my  reasons  for  introducing  it, 
especially  as  those  reasons  have  been  misunderstood  and  misstated,  in 
Europe,  as  well  as  in  our  own  country.  I  will  ask  the  secretary  to  read 
the  preamble  and  joint  resolution. 

The  VICE-PRESIDENT.     The  joint  resolution  will  be  reported. 

The  chief  clerk  read  as  follows  : 

Whereas,  the  people  of  this  Union  have  for  upward  of  fifty  years  adhered  to  the  doctrine 
asserted  by  President  Monroe,  "  as  a  principle  in  which  the  rights  and  interests  of  the 
United  States  are  involved,  that  the  American  continents,  by  the  free  and  independent 
condition  which  they  have  assumed  and  maintained,  are  henceforth  not  to  be  considered 
as  subjects  for  future  '  occupation  '  by  any  European  power:  "  Therefore, 

Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  Slates  of  America  in 
Congress  assembled,  That  the  people  of  these  states  would  not  view,  without  serious 
inquietude,  any  attempt  by  the  powers  of  Europe  to  establish,  under  their  protection  and 
domination,  a  ship-canal  across  the  Isthmus  of  Darien,  and  sucli  action  on  the  part  of  any 
European  power  could  not  be  regarded  "  in  any  other  light  than  as  the  manifestation  of 
an  unfriendly  disposition  toward  the  United  States." 


GE.V.    AMBROSE   E.    BUUXSIDE. 

Mr.  BfRNSiDE.  This,  Mr.  President,  is  simply  a  Denunciation  of  what 
is  known  as  the  Monroe  doctrine,  a  cardinal  principle  of  American 
policy  which  has  for  upward  of  half  a  century  secured  us  from  foreign 
interference  in,  or  foreign  control  of,  the  affairs  of  the  Western  Continent. 
This  doctrine  was  embodied  in  the  annual  message  of  President  Monroe 
to  the  Eighteenth  Congress,  which  first  met  in  this  city  on  the  first  day 
of  December,  18.23.  At  that  time  the  Russians  wanted  to  extend  their 
dominions  on  the  Pacific  Coast  of  North  America  so  far  southward  as  to 
include  California,  and  King  Ferdinand  of  Spain,  who  had  been  rein 
stated  upon  his  throne  by  French  bayonets,  after  ha\-ing  been  banished 
by  his  disaffected  subjects,  was  endeavoring  to  form  an  alliance  with 
other  European  powers  which  would  force  back  to  their  allegiance  the 
revolted  colonies  of  Spain  in  South  America.  Against  this  and  similar 
demonstrations  President  Monroe  formally  protested,  declaring  to  the 
potentates  of  the  Old  World  that  the  United  States  would  not  tolerate 
the  extension  of  their  despotic  machinations  and  intrigues  to  the  New. 

This  Monroe  doctrine,  Mr.  President,  has  been  the  safeguard  of  these 
United  States,  and  has  been  appropriately  designated  as  the  club  of 
Hercules  and  the  shield  of  Telamon,  the  former  to  ward  off  the  armed 
intervention  of  European  powers,  and  the  latter  to  protect  this  continent 
from  colonial  encroachment.  Acting  upon  its  provisions,  the  United 
States  should  maintain  its  position  as  the  governing  power  on  this  con 
tinent,  and  should  carefully  but  positively  exercise  its  prerogatives. 
While  we  as  a  nation  do  not  propose  to  unnecessarily  interfere  with  the 
course  of  any  independent  American  power,  or  of  any  colonial  govern 
ment  dependent  upon  a  European  power,  we  should  bear  in  mind  that 
we  are  the  dominant  power  on  the  North  American  continent. 

Providence  established  our  Republic  in  the  wilderness,  separated  by 
the  broad  Atlantic  from  the  intrigues  and  the  corruptions  of  the  Old 
World,  which  would  have  smothered  the  bright  flames  of  liberty.  Our 
fathers  were  permitted  to  achieve  their  independence,  and  in  our  day 
there  has  been  an  internal  struggle  for  the  perpetuity  of  the  Union  which 
has  resulted  in  a  firmer  consolidation  of  the  national  power.  We  have 
not  only  maintained  the  position  given  us  by  our  forefathers  as  against 
foreign  powers,  but  we  have  suppressed  the  most  gigantic  rebellion  known 
to  history.  We  have  also  passed  through  a  fierce  struggle  relating  to  the 
succession  to  the  chief  office  of  the  Nation,  a  struggle  which  in  any  other 
country  would  have  resulted  in  revolution,  possibly  anarchy.  We  settled 
the  trouble  by  legislative  action  on  the  part  of  the  people's  representatives, 
and  the  people  have  acquiesced  in  and  ratified  that  action. 

Having  perfected  and  strengthened  our  own  existence,  having  attained 
a  high  standard  of  moral  and  intellectual  excellence,  and  having  devel 
oped  an  unequaled  mechanical,  agricultural,  and  mining  prosperity,  we 


LIFE   AXD    PrilLlC    SERVICES    OF 

must  not  permit  an  v  infringement  of  our  rights  on  this  continent,  or  suf 
fer  any  steps  to  be  taken  on  any  part  of  it  which  will  interfere  with  pro 
gressive  independence,  civil  or  religious.  Should  any  of  the  western 
governments  now  dependent  upon  European  powers  successfully  renounce 
their  allegiance,  we  should  regard  them  as  our  political  wards,  and  should 
encourage  them  in  maintaining  their  independence  ;  but  we  should  not. 
and  could  not,  allow  them  to  take  a  step  backward  in  the  march  of  free 
dom  and  civilization.  Should  they  attempt  to  establish  a  government 
less  free  than  the  one  which  they  have  cast  off,  we  should  at  once  intervene 
and  see  that  they  make  an  advance  instead  of  a  retrograde  movement. 

That  the  colonies  of  Great  Britain  on  our  northern  frontier  will  take 
any  step  looking  to  independence  at  present  is  hardly  probable,  but  in 
the  course  of  time  two  adjacent  populations,  generally  of  the  same  origin, 
speaking  the  same  language,  and  having  a  common  interest,  must  gravi 
tate  toward  each  other.  Substantially,  they  are  moving  in  the  same 
channel  that  we  are,  and  we  need  give  ourselves  no  uneasiness  as  to  the 
result  of  the  problem  which  they  are  working  out.  With  respect  to  Mex 
ico  and  other  governments  near  our  southern  border,  there  is  an  entirely 
different  state  of  affairs.  Mexico  is  chronically  in  a  distracted  condition, 
and  although  it  was  respected  by  the  United  States  when  our  flag  floated 
in  triumph  over  its  capital,  and  subsequently  delivered,  in  large  part,  by 
the  friendly  offices  of  the  United  States  from  foreign  intervention,  it  some 
times  appears  incapable  of  self-government,  and  we  may  find  it  our  un 
pleasant  but  imperative  duty  to  control  it  by  some  process. 

In  my  opinion,  Mr.  President,  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  this 
government  will  have  to  take  a  new  departure  in  its  management  of 
contiguous  or  newly-acquired  territory.  We  should  not  necessarily  invest 
with  all  the  rights  and  immunities  of  citizenship  people  who  may  fall 
under  our  protection  or  control,  and  who  are  not  qualified  to  exercise  the 
duties  of  that  citizenship,  and  some  system  of  protection  will  necessarily 
be  adopted  by  us  to  meet  future  exigencies  in  the  management  of  such 
territories.  We  do  not  and  should  not  desire  acquisition  of  territory,  but 
\ve  must  have  peace  on  our  borders.  Our  right  to  pursue  Mexican 
marauders  into  their  own  territory,  when  the  Mexican  authorities  are 
not  capable  of  controlling  them,  has  about  been  conceded.  At  all  events, 
governmental  armed  forces  have  been  authorized  and  directed  to  pursue 
these  marauders  into  Mexico.  This  can  only  be  a  temporary  expedient. 
The  government  of  Mexico  must  acquire  strength  enough  to  control  its 
citizens,  and  prevent  them  from  encroaching  upon  our  rights,  or  we 
must  assume  the  responsibility  of  controlling  them  ourselves.  The 
herdsman  never  attempts  to  control  a  wild  mule  by  seizing  its  hind  legs. 
lie  takes  him  bv  the  head.  We  cannot  control  Mexico  by  handling  and 
regulating  its  frontier.  As.  for  myself.  Mr.  President,  I  hope  that  the 


GEX.    AMBROSE    E.    BURNS  IDE. 


353 


day  is  far  distant  when  internal  dissension  and  inability  to  handle  its  own 
frontier  will  compel  us  to  take  it  by  the  head.  If  the  latter  emergency 
should  arise,  the  United  States  should  not  hesitate  to  meet  it.  There  is 
no  "  holy  alliance  "  on  this  continent,  no  "balance  of  power  ";  but  the 
United  States  should  exercise  the  governing  and  directing  power.  As  I 
said  of  governments  dependent  upon  European  powers  who  may  throw 
off  their  allegiance,  that  they  should  not  be  allowed  to  take  a  step  back 
ward,  so  I  sav  of  independent  governments  on  this  continent;  they 
should  not  be  allowed  to  take  a  step  backward  in  the  march  of  civil  and 
religious  liberty. 

Mr.  President,  one  of  the  most  impressive  sermons  that  I  ever  listened 
to  was  delivered  by  Bishop  Howe,  of  Pennsylvania,  many  years  ago,  and 
before  he  had  attained  the  high  position  which  he  now  so  ably  fills.  His 
text  was  taken  from  one  of  the  Psalms,  and  read  as  follows  : 

Because  they  have  no  changes,  therefore  they  fear  not  God. 

In  the  most  eloquent  language  he  portrayed  the  great  danger  which 
rich  and  prosperous  communities  were  in  of  forgetting  the  great  source 
of  nil  their  worldly  benefits,  contenting  themselves  with  luxurious  ease, 
and  allowing  the  very  blessings  which  had  been  showered  upon  them  to 
make  them,  in  their  selfishness,  forget  God.  The  Good  Father  has  en 
abled  us  to  establish  upon  this  continent  a  great  and  free  government. 
He  has  increased  our  riches,  our  intelligence,  and  our  strength.  With 
this  he  has  imposed  upon  us  certain  duties,  and  we  should  not,  as  a  peo 
ple,  wrap  ourselves  in  the  robes  of  luxury  and  ease,  and  declare  ourselves 
content,  no  matter  what  may  be  going  on  in  other  governments  on  this 
continent.  A  duty  rests  upon  us  to  see  that  this  American  land  shall  be 
devoted  to  freedom,  and  if  we  fail  in  the  performance  of  that  duty,  a  retri 
bution  will  surely  fall  upon  us. 

At  the  present  time,  Mr.  President,  we  should  bear  in  mind  that  the 
Monroe  doctrine  not  only  declares  that  the  American  governments  are 
no:  to  be  considered  as  subjects  of  future  colonization  by  anv  European 
power,  but  that  we  should  not  view  any  interference,  on  the  part  of  those 
powers,  for  the  purpose  of  suppressing  the  existing  independent  states  of 
America,  or,  to  quote  the  exact  words,  '•  controlling  in  anv  other  man 
ner  their  destinv,  in  anv  other  light  than  as  the  manifestation  of  an  un 
friendly  disposition  toward  the  United  States." 

The  construction  of  an  inter-oceanic  ship-canal  by  European  capitalists, 
under  the  protection  of  a  European  government  or  bv  the  authority  of  a 
European  charter,  would  not  only  enable  that  government  to  control  the 
destiny  of  the  independent  states  through  which  it  would  pass,  either 
Panama,  or  Honduras,  or  Nicaragua,  but  it  would  be  dangerous  to  the 
peace  and  safety  of  the  United  States.  An  inter-oceanic  canal  will  real'.v 
2} 


354 


LIFE   AXD   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


be  a  maritime  highway  between  the  numerous  sea-ports  on  the  Atlantic 
and  Pacific  coasts  of  the  United  States,  and  it  appears  to  me  that  wisdom 
and  justice  require  that  the  government  of  the  United  States  should  con 
trol  that  highway.  It  should  be  open  to  our  commercial  marine  in  times 
of  peace,  and  to  our  naval  vessels  in  times  of  war,  without  any  Euro 
pean  jurisdiction.  The  construction  of  an  inter-oceanic  canal  with 
European  capital,  under  the  protection  of  a  European  power  or  under  a 
European  charter,  would  be  an  obtrusive  interference  with  our  home 
affairs,  which  could  but  justly  excite  resentment,  and  which  the  citizens 
of  the  United  States  would  never  tolerate. 

The  contingency  of  the  construction  of  an  inter-oceanic  canal,  by  any  of 
the  governments  through  whose  territory  it  may  pass,  need  hardly  be  dis 
cussed,  because  none  of  them  have  the  financial  resources  necessary  to 
its  construction  ;  vet  had  they  the  power,  physically  and  financially,  to 
construct  the  work,  the  duty  of  the  United  States  would  be  none  the  less 
imperative  to  see  that  the  control  of  it  should  rest  with  this  government. 
But  it  has  been  asserted,  Mr.  President,  that,  no  matter  who  may  con 
struct  an  inter-oceanic  canal,  its  control  will  be  a  question  of  power.  In 
other  words,  that  the  European  governments  will,  if  they  see  fit,  control 
by  force  of  arms  this  American  naval  thoroughfare. 

Sir,  that  would  be  an  impossibility.  When  the  Monroe  doctrine  was 
originally  promulgated,  we  were  just  recovering  from  a  war  which  had 
cost  much  blood  and  treasure,  which  had  disarranged  our  industries, 
checked  our  commerce,  and  increased  our  taxation.  The  European  pow 
ers  at  that  time  had  large  accumulations  of  capital,  and  a  surplus  of  pop 
ulation,  from  which  war  would  relieve  them,  so  that  a  declaration  of  hos 
tilities  would  not  have  interrupted  their  ordinary  pursuits  or  have  ma 
terially  affected  their  national  credit.  Yet  Mr.  Monroe  and  his  supporters 
did  not  hesitate.  They  did  not  request  European  governments  to  let  this 
continent  alone,  but  they  defiantly  asserted  that  any. such  interference, 
could  not  be  regarded  "in  any  other  light  than  as  the  manifestation  of 
an  unfriendly  disposition  toward  the  United  States."  The  people,  with 
out  distinction  of  party,  rallied  around  the  banner  thus  unfurled,  on 
which  was  inscribed  "  no  foreign  intervention,"  with  a  zealous  confidence 
previously  unknown.  How  different  is  the  condition  of  our  country 
now ! 

Our  population  has  been  enhanced  by  the  natural  increase,  as  \vell  as 
by  millions  of  the  toilers  of  other  lands  who  have  come  here  to  enjoy  the 
blessing  of  civil  and  religious  liberty.  Iron  rails  bind  the  vast  area  of 
our  territory,  in  every  direction,  while  strong  arms  and  honest  hearts  are 
successfully  toiling  in  the  mines,  in  the  manufactories,  and  in  the  broad 
fields  for  their  livelihood,  and  are  thus  augmenting  our  national  wealth. 
To  such  perfection  has  the  inventive  genius  of  the  land  carried  the  ma- 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BUR  XS  IDE. 


355 


chinery  used  for  agricultural  and  mechanical  purposes,  that  it  would  be 
possible  for  the  women  of  America,  in  case  of  urgent  need  and  patriotic 
call,  to  produce  almost  every  desired  supply  of  subsistence,  clothing,  and 
equipment.  But  few  of  the  men  would  be'  required  to  do  the  heavy  work 
in  the  foundries,  in  the  manufactories,  and  ir  the  field.  The  main  part 
of  the  work  could  be  done  by  patriotic  wom;n.  This  would  enable  an 
unparalleled  body  of  men  to  take  the  field  ;  and  it  is  estimated  that  we 
could  raise,  arm,  equip,  and  subsist  an  army  of  5,000,000  of  men.  We 
could,  by  modern  appliances  in  the  way  of  torpedoes,  floating  batteries, 
etc.,  render  access  to  our  harbors  by  foreign  ships  impossible.  What 
foreign  power  or  powers  could  send  a  force  to  the  American  continent 
and  effect  any  lodgment,  in  the  face  of  such  a  body  of  national  defenders 
and  such  means  of  national  defense?  It  would  be  impossible  to  even 
collect  such  a  fleet  of  transports  as  would  be  required  to  bring  over  such 
a  hostile  army  of  invasion  to  our  shores. 

I  am  well  aware,  Mr.  President,  that  the  Monroe  doctrine  has  never 
been  enacted  by  Congress  and  placed  upon  the  national  statute-book,  but 
it  has  been  recognized  as  a  prominent  feature  of  the  unwritten  law  of  the 
land,  which  has  governed  our  Nation  in  its  international  relations.  It  has 
been  intimated  that  the  original  author  of  the  Monroe  doctrine  was  Mr. 
Canning,  but  there  is  a  letter  written  in  October,  1823,  to  President  Mon 
roe  by  ex-President  Jefferson,  to  whom  he  had  applied  for  advice,  which 
disposed  of  the  intimation  that  this  great  American  principle  was  adopted 
at  the  suggestion  of  a  British  statesman.  Mr.  Jefferson  wrote  : 

Our  first  and  fundamental  maxim  should  be,  never  to  entangle  ourselves  in  the  broils  of 
Europe;  our  second,  never  to  suffer  Europe  to  interfere  with  cis-atlantic  affairs. 

Daniel  Webster  said  in  Congress,  on  the  nth  of  April,  1826.  speaking 
of  the  promulgation  of  the  Monroe  doctrine  : 

I  have  understood  from  good  authority  that  it  was  considered,  weighed,  and  distinctly 
approved  by  the  President's  advisers  at  mat  time. 

The  Cabinet  was  then  composed  of  John  Qiiincy  Adams,  Secretary  of 
State;  William  II.  Crawford,  of  Georgia,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury; 
John  C.  Calhoun,  Secretary  of  War ;  Samuel  L.  Southard,  Secretary  of 
the  Navv,  and  William  Wirt,  Attorney-General. 

Henry  Clay,  then  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  offered  a 
joint  resolution,  which  gave  a  legislative  indorsement  to  President  Mon 
roe's  declarations,  and  the  debates  at  either  end  of  the  Capitol  show  in 
what  high  estimation  the  doctrine  was  held  by  the  leading  Senators  and 
Representatives.  Its  promulgation  was  regarded  as  a  new  departure  for 
our  Republic.  John  C.  Calhoun  said  later  in  life,  Jan.  14,  1846,  that  "  no 
man  can  view  with  stronger  feelings  of  indignation  than  I  do  the  im- 


356  LIFE   AXD   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

proper  interference  of  European  powers  with  the  nations  of  this  con 
tinent." 

Daniel  Webster  said,  in  his  great  speech,  April  n,  1826,  on  the  Panama 
congress  : 

I  concur  entirely  with  the  gentleman  from  Pennsylvania  (Mr.  Hempliill)  that  this  declar 
ation  of  Mr.  Monroe  was  wise,  seasonable,  and  patriotic. 

James  Buchanan  declared  that  — 

This  declaration  was  reechoed  by  millions  of  freemen  ;  it  was  received  with  enthusiasm 
in  every  part  of  the  Union ;  it  answered  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  intended. 

Even  the  liberal  statesmen  of  England  acquiesced  in  the  principles 
promulgated  by  Mr.  Monroe.  The  prime  minister  of  Great  Britain,  Mr. 
Canning,  one  of  the  most  enlightened  statesmen  of  his  age,  used  the  fol 
lowing  language  : 

It  concerned  the  United  States,  under  aspects  and  interests  as  immediate  and  command 
ing  as  it  did  or  could  any  of  the  states  of  Europe.  They  were  the  first  power  on  that  con 
tinent,  and  evidently  the  leading- power.  They  were  connected  with  Spanish  America  by 
their  position,  as  they  were  with  Europe  by  their  relations;  and  they  also  stood  connected 
with  those  new  states  by  political  relations.  Was  it  possible  they  could  see  witli  indiffer 
ence  their  fate  decided  only  by  Europe?  Could  Europe  expect  such  indifference?  Had  no 
new  epoch  arrived  in  the  relative  position  of  the  United  States  toward  Europe  which 
Europe  must  acknowledge?  Were  the  great  political  and  commercial  interests  which 
hang  upon  the  destinies  of  the  new  continent  to  be  canvassed  and  judged  in  this  hemi 
sphere  (Europe)  without  the  cooperation,  or  even  knowledge  of  the  United  States? 

This  Monroe  doctrine,  Mr.  President,  has  never  lost  its  hold  upon  the 
pride  and  patriotic  affections  of  the  American  people.  Again  and  again  has 
it  been  cited  by  our  Secretaries  of  State,  in  defense  of  our  national  diplo 
matic  positions,  and  referred  to  by  our  diplomats  as  defining  our  line  of 
duty.  In  1853,  when  Louis  Napoleon  was  strengthening  his  newly-erected 
throne  by  restoring  the  martial  glories  of  the  French  Empire,  the  vener 
able  General  Cass,  then  a  United  States  Senator,  thus  alluded  to  the  feel 
ings  entertained  toward  the  United  States  in  Europe,  as  a  sign  of  the  times 
worthy  of  serious  consideration  : 

We  cannot  — 
Said  the  veteran  statesman  of  Michigan  — 

disguise  from  ourselves  that  our  progress  and  prospects,  while  they  are  a  reproach  to  many 
of  the  governments  of  the  Old  World,  have  excited  their  enmity  by  the  contrasts  they 
exhibit,  and  by  the  dangerous  example  they  offer  to  the  oppressed  masses,  inviting  them 
to  do  as  we  have  done,  and  to  become  free  as  we  are  free.  He  who  does  not  know  that  there 
is  not  a  government  in  Europe  which  is  a  friend  to  our  institutions  has  much  to  learn  of  the 
impression  that  our  past,  our  present,  and  our  probable  future  are  producing  among  them. 
Hut  what  we  have  to  apprehend  is,  plans  for  arresting  our  extent  and  prosperity,  the  seiz 
ure  of  positions  by  which  we  might  be  annoyed  and  circumscribed,  and  the  creation  of 
an  influence,  of  schemes  of  policy  offering  powerful  obstacles  to  our  future  advancement. 


GEN.    AMHKOSI-:    /:.    fit  'A'. V.S' IDE. 


357 


In  ten  years  from  the  utterance  of  this  prediction  it  was  fulfilled  by  the 
appearance  of  French  troops  in  Mexico,  to  support  the  government 
of  the  ill-starred  Maximilian.  The  Hon.  William  II.  Seward,  then  Secre 
tary  of  State,  protested  vigorously  against  this  armed  interference  in 
the  politics  of  our  sister  republic;  and  he  also  opposed  a  scheme  for 
establishing  a  colony  in  Mexico  by  Dr.  William  M.  Gwin  and  associates, 
•which  he  asserted  '•  the  United  States  government  could  not  look  upon 
with  satisfaction,  as  martial  or  political  enemies  on  the  opposite  banks  of 
the  Rio  Grande."  If  it  was  true  that  the  people  of  this  country  would  not 
tolerate  a  colony  in  Mexico,  can  it  be  possible  that  they  will  permit  the 
European  powers,  or  any  company  under  European  protection  or  influ 
ence,  to  construct  and  control  an  inter-oceanic  canal  across  the  Isthmus, 
which  would  be  so  useful  in  times  of  peace,  and  so  indispensable  in  times 
of  -war?  The  establishment  of  such  a  great  public  work  in  such  a  man 
ner  would  be  fatal  to  the  preservation  and  development  of  those  Ameri 
can  ideas  on  which  are  founded  the  hopes  of  the  social  welfare  and  the 
enlightened  progress  of  the  entire  continent  of  North  America. 

Congress  should  act  upon  this  grave  cpiiestion  without  delav,  ere  any 
foreign  power  makes  a  demonstration  for  the  control  of  the  inter-oceanic 
canal ;  and  a  grave  responsibility  will  rest  upon  us  should  we  now  aban 
don  to  the  chance  of  circumstances  the  maintenance  of  our  .supremacy 
on  this  continent.  In  adopting  such  a  joint  resolution  as  I  have  had  the 
honor  to  present,  the  United  States  government  will  exercise  a  right 
incontestablv  belonging  to  it,  will  sustain  the  honor  of  the  Republic,  will 
advance  the  cause  of  progressive,  civil,  and  religious  liberty,  and  will  re 
ceive  the  support  of  the  people.  We  have  had  enough  of  internal  agita 
tion  and  of  sectional  strife.  Let  us  now  reaffirm  and  stand  by  the  Mon 
roe  doctrine,  which  can  but  meet  the  sympathy  and  the  conviction  not 
only  of  the  true-hearted  citizens  of  this  Republic,  but  of  the  lovers  of  lib 
erty  throughout  the  world. 

I  now,  Mr.  President,  withdraw  my  motion  to  relieve  the  committee 
from  the  further  consideration  of  this  resolution. 

The  VICE-PRESIDENT.  The  motion  of  the  Senator  from  Rhode  Island 
is  withdrawn. 

This  speech  naturally  created  a  profound  sensation, 
both  at  home  and  abroad.  During  the  war  for  the  sup 
pression  of  the  Rebellion,  Louis  Napoleon  had  invaded 
the  sister  republic  of  Mexico,  subverted  her  government, 
and  established  a  military  despotism  there,  under  the  nom 
inal  rule  of  an  Austrian  prince.  The  National  Republi- 


-.j-g  LIFE   AXI)    PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

O  0 

can  Convention,  and  the  House  of  Representatives,  had 
urged  the  re-assertion  of  the  Monroe  doctrine,  and  the 
people  of  the  United  States  had  hailed  with  delight  the 
maintenance  of  the  long-settled,  well-approved  diplomatic 
policy  of  the  revolutionary  fathers.  Under  the  Monroe 
doctrine,  the  French  had  been  forced  to  retire  from  Mex 
ico,  and  a  republican  government  had  been  reestablished 
there.  Now  that  an  inter-oceanic  canal  was  projected,  it 
was  desirable  that  the  time-honored  diplomatic  policy  of 
the  past  should  be  reestablished. 

Although  General  Burnside  was  warmly  attached  to 
West  Point,  he  was  very  indignant  when  he  learned  how 
Cadet  Whittaker  had  been  mutilated  there.  When  a  bill 
came  up  providing  for  the  appointment  of  colored  cadets 
by  the  President,  he  advocated  giving  him  the  power  to 
appoint.  He  had,  he  said,  endeavored  the  preceding  year 
to  have  the  restrictions  of  color  in  the  army  partially  re 
moved,  and  he  knew  that  Senator  Bruce,  with  other  leading 
colored  men,  agreed  with  him,  but  recent  events  at  the 
military  academy  had  induced  him  to  change  his  opinion. 
West  Point,  he  said,  was  a  national  institution,  and  no  class 
of  citizens  should  be  excluded.  At  the  North,  where  cadets 
are  appointed  by  competitive  examination,  the  small  num 
ber  of  colored  youth  have  but  little  chance  of  appointment ; 
and  at  the  South,  where  there  are  so  many  colored  people, 
few,  if  any,  of  the  young  men  possess  sufficient  education 
to  pass  the  requisite  examination.  It  was  therefore  well 
that  the  President  should  appoint  some  of  the  colored  race, 
and  if  they  cannot  be  protected  in  their  studies,  he,  for  one, 
would  advocate  abolishing  the  institution.  He  spoke  as  a 
iiraduate  of  the  military  academv,  attached  to  his  Alma 

o  -  ^ 

Mater,  who  wished  to  see  it  removed  from  the  obloquy 
which  rested  upon  it. 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURXSIDE.  O-Q 

A  bill  providing  for  placing  on  the  retired  list  non-com 
missioned  officers  after  thirty  years  of  faithful  service, 
Deceived  from  General  Burnside  a  hearty  support.  Sen 
ator  Beck,  of  Kentucky,  in  opposing  the  bill,  suggested 
that  "as  there  is  no  more  arduous  service  than  to  serve  in 
the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  it  might  be  well  to  pension 
Senators  who  had  served  faithfully  for  thirty  years." 
General  Burnside  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  replied  : 

I  will  answer  that  a  Senator  who  has  served  here  for  nearly  thirty 
years  has  had  one-half  of  his  time  to  attend  to  his  own  business,  and  can 
have  all  the  time  he  wants  to  attend  to  it.  The  Senator  from  Kentucky 
can  go  before  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  and  plead  a  case 
to-morrow,  and  charge  a  fee  of  $10,000  and  put  it  in  his  pocket.  But  the 
cases  are  not  parallel.  Senators  of  the  United  States  seek  their  positions. 
During  the  late  war,  when  the  authority  and  integrity  of  the  government 
were  in  danger,  we  did  not  have  to  beg  Senators  to  serve,  saying,  "  For 
God's  sake,  come  and  serve  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  and  we 
will  give  you  a  bounty. "  Far  from  that.  Senators  have  always  sought 
their  places  of  the  people;  but  you  asked  and  begged  and  implored  men 
to  go  to  the  field  to  fight  for  the  life  of  the  country.  They  went,  and  took 
their  lives  in  their  hands,  and  promises  were  made,  not  only  by  the  Na 
tional  Legislature,  but  by  state  legislatures,  some  of  which  promises  have 
not  been  fulfilled. 

But,  Mr.  President,  I  am  the  last  man  who  should  make  a  personal 
complaint,  because  I  have  received  from  the  general  government  and 
from  the  people  of  my  state  a  great  deal  more  than  I  have  deserved.  But 
promises  have  been  made  to  the  soldiers  which  have  not  yet  been  ful 
filled,  after  we  had  begged  them  to  go  to  the  field,  and  offered  all  kinds 
of  inducements  to  go.  It  is  to  the  interest  of  this  government  to  have  an 
efficient  army,  and  what  we  must  look  to  when  legislating  for  the  army 
is  not  so  much  what  their  services  are  worth  in  dollars  and  cents,  as  how 
to  keep  up  the  esprit  dii  corps  in  the  army. 

In  committee  I  was  in  favor  of  putting  private  soldiers  on,  and  am 
now,  but  it  was  thought  best  by  the  committee  to  make  this  start.  The 
retired  list  created  by  this  bill  will  be  very  small,  as  very  few  non-com 
missioned  officers  live  to  serve  thirty  or  thirty-five  years.  These  men 
could  not  have  remained  on  duty  and  served  as  non-commissioned  offi 
cers  for  thirty  years  without  being  good  men,  faithful  men,  industrious 
men,  brave  men;  and  the  t-ame  amount  of  industry,  faithfulness,  and 
bravery  in  civil  life  would  have  given  them  competencies  of  some  sort,  in 


o(3o  LIFE   AXD   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

all  probability.  They  are  unable  to  take  care  of  themselves  now;  and  here 
we  are  higgling  at  the  passage  of  a  la\v  which  will  put  probably  sixty  or 
one  hundred  of  them  on  the  retired  list.  We  were  not  actuated  by  such 
feelings  when  the  country  was  in  danger.  We  would  gladly  have  prom 
ised  this  and  ten  times  as  much,  forty  times  as  much,  vea,  a  thousand 
times  as  much,  if  it  had  been  necessary,  to  fill  up  our  army. 

I  am  in  favor  of  the  bill  in  all  its  parts,  and  lam  in  favor  of  extending 
it  to  private  soldiers,  and  I  am  free  to  say  again  that  the  bill  pensioning 
civil  employes,  if  reported  bv  a  proper  committee,  will  receive  mv  sup 
port  as  I  feel  now.  I  shall  vote  for  it  if  it  is  properly  brought  before  the 
Senate,  because  I  think  it  is  a  just  bill,  and  under  it  we  would  have  better 
service,  more  honest  service,  than  we  have  now.  There  would  be  less 
fighting  for  office.  Men  would  not  seek  positions  which  are  already  filled 
by  competent  persons  ;  they  would  go  about  their  business  on  their  farms, 
in  their  work-shops,  or  in  the  mercantile  walks  of  life,  and  allow  the  men 
who  have  obtained  clerkships  in  public  offices  to  remain  in  their  posi 
tions  until  retired  by  old  age.  I  know  this  is  not  the  popular  doctrine, 
but  it  is  mv  doctrine.  I  do  not  mean  to  say  absolutely  that  it  is  right, 
but  I  think  it  is  right.  I  would  advise  no  friend  of  mine  to  become  an 
office-seeker.  Public  employment  in  the  departments  does  not  give  so 
much  happiness  as  private  employment.  As  to  elective  offices,  the  peo 
ple  will  govern  them  wisely  and  rotate  at  pleasure. 

On  the  8th  of  June,  1880,  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
State  of  Rhode  Island  reflected  General  Burnside  to  fill 
a  second  term  in  the  United  States  Senate,  commencing 
on  the  4th  of  March,  iSSi.  The  vote  of  the  Senate  \vas  : 
A.  E.  Burnside,  25  ;  George  ,H.  Browne,  7  ;  Charles  C. 
Van  Zandt,  2.  The  vote  of  the  House  was  :  A.  E.  Burn- 
side,  54  ;  George  H.  Browne,  9 ;  Charles  C.  Van  Zandt, 
2  ;  J.  Lewis  Diman,  i  ;  William  P.  Sheffield,  i.  On  the 
following  da}',  the  two  houses  met  in  joint  assembly,  and 
it  appearing  that  Ambrose  E.  Burnside  had  received  a 
majority  of  the  votes  of  each  house,  he  was  declared  duly 
elected  Senator. 

Artillery  salutes  were  fired  at  Bristol  and  at  Providence 
in  honor  of  General  Burnside's  reelection,  and  a  banquet 
given  by  his  friends  at  Providence  was  attended  by  the 


(,EX.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE. 


161 


members  of  the  General  Assembly  and  a  number  of  prom 
inent  citizens.  The  general,  who  was  at  Washington,  was 
the  recipient  of  hundreds  of  letters  and  telegrams  from  all 
parts  of  the  country,  congratulating  him. 

The  president  of  the  Senate,  pro  temper c,  announced  on 
the  3d  of  June,  that  he  had  received  the  credentials  of 
Ambrose  E.  Burnside,  chosen  by  the  General  Assembly  of 
Rhode  Island  a  Senator  from  that  State.  They  were  re 
ceived  and  placed  on  rile. 


CHAPTER   XXXVI. 


THE  FITZ  JOHN1  PORTER  CASE  —  ENDOWMENT  OF  AX  EDUCATIONAL 
FUND  BY  THE  SALES  OF  PUBLIC  LAXDS  —  PEXS1OX  LAWS  AXD 
PENSIONERS-MONUMENTS  OX  REVOLUTIONARY  BATTLE-FIELDS 
—  MORAL  AXD  SOCIAL  SCIEXCE  IN  SCHOOLS  —  WATCHFUL  AT 
TENTION  TO  SENATORIAL  BUSINESS. 

THE  third  session  of  the  Forty-sixth  Congress  was 
commenced  on  the  6th  of  December,  1880.  The 
next  week  a  bill  was  taken  up,  for  consideration, 
relieving  Gen.  Fitz  John  Porter  from  a  disability  of  dis- 
franchisement  and  incapacity  to  hold  office,  as  imposed  by 
sentence  of  court-martial,  and  at  the  same  time  authoriz 
ing  the  President  to  restore  him  to  the  army.  On  this  bill 
a  long  nnd  animated  debate  ensued,  which  was  closed  by 
General  Burnside.  He  had  presented  a  minority  report 
in  the  case,  with  an  amendment  giving  General  Porter  a 
new  trial  by  court-martial.  In  conclusion  he  said  : 

Courts-martial,  Mr.  President,  although  sometimes  harsh  in  their  sen 
tences,  are  proverbially  fair.  They  are  not  confined  strictly  to  the  rules 
of  evidence.  Judge-advocates  are  not  allowed  to  browbeat  and  confuse 
witnesses.  The  members  of  the  court  almost  always  are  of  sufficient  in 
telligence  to  determine  when  a  witness  is  telling  the  truth,  and  there  is  no 
necessity  for  the  cross-questioning  which  lawvers  resort  to  in  civil  trials. 
They  are  not  confined  to  precise  rules  and  maxims  of  law  in  making  up 
evidence.  They  make  their  verdicts  more  from  the  equities  of  the  case. 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURXSIDE.  363 

or  rather  from  the  animus  of  the  parties  concerned  in  relation  to  the 
points  at  issue.  It  is  sometimes  thought  that  they  are  led  to  the  condem 
nation  of  men  upon  light  evidence,  but  you  will  always  find  behind  that 
there  is  something  or  other  in  the  record  of  the  man  which  justifies  the 
court  in  making  the  offence  for  which  he  is  tried  an  excuse  for  giving 
him  what  may  appear  to  be  a  harsh  punishment.  The  esprit  dc  corps 
which  makes  a  good  armv  makes  it  necessary  for  courts  to  take  the  daily 
walks  of  a  man's  life  into  consideration  in  making  up  a  sentence  against 
him.  Such  is  not  the  case  at  all,  or  to  any  great  extent,  before  civil  courts. 
A  man's  character  is  only  considered  in  the  mitigation  of  sentences. 
Many  lawyers,  and  eminent  lawvers,  too,  have  given  an  opinion  as  to  the 
propriety  and  justness  of  the  sentence  in  this  case,  but  they  have  given 
their  opinion  in  very  much  the  same  way  as  they  would  give  an  opinion 
as  to  the  violation  of  a  contract.  They  have  looked  at  all  the  legal  points 
in  the  case,  and  have  said  that  in  their  view  General.  Porter  fulfilled  his 
contract. 

Well,  now  there  is  no  such  condition  of  affairs  as  that  existing  in  the 
life  of  TI  soldier.  A  soldier  is  not  only  bound  to  obey  all  the  orders  that 
are  given  to  him,  but  he  is  bound  to  use  his  best  efforts  to  promote  the 
cause  for  which  he  is  fighting.  He  is  bound  at  all  times  to  show 
alacritv,  to  show  cooperation,  and  to  smother  any  feeling -of  distrust 
which  he  may  have  of  his  superior  officers.  He  is  certainly  bound  at 
all  events  to  speak  of  them  in  respectful  terms,  and  to  yield  to  them  a 
respectful  and  loyal  obedience.  When  he  undertakes  to  disobey  an  order, 
or  undertakes  to  judge  for  himself  as  to  how  far  he  shall  carry  out  an 
order,  then  he  subjects  himself  surely  to  criticism,  possibly  to  punish 
ment,  and  the  animus  of  his  conduct  becomes  a  legitimate  subject  of  ex 
amination,  not  only  by  the  people  and  the  country  for  which  he  i>  fight 
ing,  but  by  any  court  which  mav  be  ordered  to  try  him  ;  and  if  the  ser 
vice  in  which  he  is  engaged  is  of  sufficient  importance  to  stir  the  hearts 
of  a  great  people,  then  if  he  fails  in  doing  what  they  consider  to  be  a 
loyal  service,  he  must  expect  to  receive  the  punishment  which  the  hearts 
of  that  loyal  people  say  he  ought  to  receive  at  that  time,  and  it  is  not 
fair  that  he  should  in  time  of  profound  peace,  when  the  excitement  of 
the  people  has  cooled  off,  and  their  patriotism  is  t.o  a  certain  extent  at 
rest,  ask  them  in  their  leniency  to  forgive  him  for  what  he  did  in  a  time 
when  his  Avhole  heart  should  have  been  in  their  service.  Therefore,  Mr. 
President,  I  do  not  regard  the  opinion  of  these  lawyers — -and  I  say  this 
with  all  due  respect  to  them  and  to  their  course — -I  do  not  regard  their 
opinion  as  worth  anything  to  me  in  making  up  my  mind  as  to  whether 
this  sentence  was  just  or  unjust.  As  I  have  said  before,  I  would  be  glad 
to  have  General  Porter  tried  now  by  thirteen  intelligent  officers  of  the 
armv.  That  is  surely  the  most  that  he  can  ask.  I  will  say  again.  Mr. 


364 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


President,  that  there  is  a  great  difference  between  fulfilling  contracts  of 
a  civil  nature  in  times  of  profound  peace,  when  it  is  understood  that  all 
business  men  have  the  right  to  look  to  their  own  interests,  and  when  they 
have  a  right  to  take  all  fair  legitimate  mercantile  advantage  of  each  other 
in  order  to  make  gain  in  trade  or  to  make  advancement  in  politics,  and 
'the  contract  which  a  soldier  makes  with  the  country  to  do  his  duty  in  the 
field,  when  the  liberties  or  the  safety  of  that  country  are  in  jeopardy. 

Ask  me,  Mr.  President,  to  believe  that  men  who  had  been  educated  by 
the  government  of  the  United  States,  and  were  officers  in  the  regular 
army  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion,  threw  up  their  commissions 
and  went  with  the  armies  of  the  South  because  they  believed  that  their 
allegiance  to  their  states  was  paramount  to  their  allegiance  to  the  Union 
—  ask  me  to  believe  that  they  have  come  back  into  this  Union  with  up 
right  intention  and  with  loyalty  in  which  we  can  be  confident — ask  me 
to  believe  that  all  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Confederate  army  felt 
that  they  were  fighting  for  a  just  cause  —  but  ask  me  not  to  believe  that 
General  Porter,  during  the  last  days  of  August,  1862,  did  not  think  more 
of  the  interests  and  the  advancement  of  one  man  than  he  did  of  the  wel 
fare  of  the  Republic. 

The  Senate  voted  down  the  proposition  of  General 
Burnside  that  General  Porter  have  a  new  trial  by  court- 
martial,  and  passed  a  bill  authorizing  the  President  to  re- 
appoint  him  to  the  army.  For  want  of  time,  no  action  was 
taken  on  the  bill  by  the  House  of  Representatives  at  that 
session. 

On  the  1 5th  of  December,  1880,  General  Burnside  called 
up  in  the  Senate  the  bill  which  he  had  reported  from  the 
Committee  on  Education  and  Labor,  which  consecrated 
the  proceeds  of  sales  of  public  lands  to  the  education  of  the 
people.  In  a  few  introductory  remarks  he  said  : 

Mr.  President,  it  is  not  claimed  by  the  friends  of  this  bill  that  it  is  of 
great  magnitude,  or  that  the  results  of  its  passage  will  be  very  great  in 
the  direction  of  aid  to  the  educational  interests  of  the  country;  but  we 
claim  that  it  is  a  step  in  the  right  direction.  We  believe  it  to  be  for  the 
best  interests  of  tlie  country  that  government  should  aid  in  the  education 
of  the  people  to  the  fullest  possible  extent  that  the  Constitution  will 
allow.  Congress  certainly  has  the  right  to  give  to  the  States  the  pro 
ceeds  of  the  sales  of  public  lands  and  the  •surplus  revenue  of  the  Patent 


GEN.   AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE.  og- 

\j    o 

Office  in  such  manner  as  it  may  deem  wise.  This  bill  contemplates  the 
distribution  of  these  funds  according  to  the  numbers  of  residents  of  the 
states,  of  ten  years  old  and  upwards,  who  cannot  read  and  write;  that  is, 
two-thirds  of  the  amount  to  be  so  distributed,  and  one-third  for  the  more 
complete  endowment  and  support  of  colleges. 

The  bill  provides  proper  methods  to  insure  the  safe  and  equitable  dis 
tribution  of  the  funds,  all  of  which  will  be  discussed  and  explained  by 
friends  of  the  bill.  As  I  said,  we  believe  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  govern 
ment  to  provide  in  everv  possible  constitutional  way  for  the  education  of 
the  people,  particularly  as  to  the  elementary  branches.  I  am  in  favor  of 
going  much  further  in  that  direction  than  this  bill  contemplates,  and  it 
is  my  belief  that  at  no  distant  day  it  will  be  deemed  proper  by  Congress 
to  take  more  advanced  steps  in  this  direction. 

I  believe  that  after  the  public  debt  shall  have  been  reduced  to  a  sum 
which  would  seem  to  warrant  the  reduction  of  internal  taxes,  they  should 
still  be  continued  on  spirits  and  tobacco,  and  the  proceeds  of  these  taxes 
devoted  to  educational  purposes,  and  I  believe  it  will  be  found  that  as  the 
people  advance  in  education  thev  will  be  better  able  to  reason  themselves 
into  the  belief  that  the  use  of  these  products  is  detrimental  to  themselves 
individually,  and  to  the  community  at  large.  A  very  striking  illustration 
of  what  can  be  done  for  a  community  by  education  is  portrayed  by 
Macaulev,  in  a  speech  delivered  bv  him  in  the  House  of  Commons  in 
April.  1847.  ^r-  President.  I  believe  that  the  passage  of  this  bill  will 
result  in  great  good  to  the  countrv.  The  people  that  it  will  aid  in 
learning  to  read  will  find  companions  in  books  instead  of  going  to  grog 
shops  and  saloons  for  them. 

The  bill  was  earnestly  debated,  some  of  the  Senators, 
some  of  whom  regarded  the  proceeds  of  the  sales  of  land 
as  public  property,  not  being  willing  that  they  should  be 
used  up  for  the  purposes  of  a  single  generation.  Others 
said  that  if  the  fund  was  given  directly  to  the  states,  as  an 
amendment  proposed,  it  would  enter  into  their  local  poli 
tics,  ascending  or  descending  with  their  political  barome 
ters,  and  proving  an  evil,  instead  of  a  benefit.  General 
Burnside  "'  engineered"  the  bill  with  great  discretion,  and 
finally  secured  its  passage,  without  obnoxious  amendments, 
bv  the  decisive  vote  of  forty-one  yeas  against  six  nays  — 
twenty-nine  Senators  being  absent  or  paired.  Just  before 


^66       .  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

the  final  vote  was  taken,  Senator  McDonald,  of  Indiana, 
expressed  his  regret  that  he  could  not  vote  for  the  distri 
bution  of  the  proceeds  of  the  public  lands  for  educational 
purposes,  as  he  did  not  approve  of  some  of  the  features 
of  the  bill.  "Mr.  President, "said  General  Burnside,  "the 
friends  of  this  bill  can  very  well  afford  to  wait  until  the  time 
elapses  to  let  it  demonstrate  itself.  If  the  Senator  from 
Indiana  lives  as  long  as  I  hope  he  will  live,  he  will  feel 
very  proud  of  the  action  of  Congress  in  the  adoption  of 
this  bill,  if  it  passes  both  houses." 

When  the  annual  bill  making  appropriations  for  the 
payment  of  pensions  during  the  ensuing  fiscal  year  came 
before  the  Senate,  an  amendment  was  proposed,  creating 
boards  for.  the  detection  of  fraud.  Objections  were  raised 
against  this  additional  power,  especially  by  General 
Logan,  who  asserted  that  there  were  but  few  dishonest 
pensioners,  and  that  the  Commissioner  of  Pensions  already 
possessed  ample  power  for  the  detection  of  frauds. 

General  Burnside  dissented,  and  said  that  the  commis 
sioner  possessed  no  power  to  detect  originally.  "There 
is,"  he  went  on  to  say,  "a  great  aversion  on  the  part  of 
every  fair  man  to  giving  information.  I  have  had  my  at 
tention  called,  and  the  Senator  no  doubt  has  had  his  atten 
tion  called,  to  people  who  were  'dead-beats,'  who  were 
not  entitled  to  pensions.  I  never  wrote  to  the  Commis 
sioner  of  Pensions  about  such  a  case  ;  but  on  two  or  three 
occasions  I  told  the  people  to  write  the  commissioner. 
There  is  great  aversion  to  giving  information  of  that  kind. 
If  the  Commissioner  of  Pensions  had  men  identified  with 
these  communities  who  felt  it  to  be  their  duty  to  see  that 
honest  soldiers  were  protected  by  the  punishment  of  dis 
honest  ones,  there  would  be  much  more  probability  of  the 
Commissioner  of  Pensions  being  able  to  do  his  duty  by 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BUR XS IDE.  367 

seeking  out  the  fraudulent  pensioners."  Quite  an  excited 
discussion  ensued,  in  which  some  sharp  words  were  used, 
each  general  protesting  that  he  had  not  lost  his  temper, 
but  was  in  perfectly  good  humor. 

General  Burnside  was  especially  interested  in  the  pas 
sage  of  a  bill  under  which  any  association,  having  in  view 
the  commemoration  of  a  Revolutionary  battle-field,  would 
be  authorized,  under  well-guarded  provisions,  to  apply 
directly  for  a  sum  of  money  from  the  treasury  equal  to  the 
amount  which  such  patriotic  association  had  itself  raised 
and  paid  in.  Opposition  was  made  by  Mr.  Cockrell,  of 
Missouri,  to  the  bill,  as  a  direct  reflection  on  the  living  and 
the  dead.  "  It  was,"  he  said,  "  a  reflection  upon  the  intel 
ligence  and  patriotism  of  the  illustrious  men  who  have 
filled  the  halls  of  Congress  since  1800,  and  a  reflection  on 
the  American  people  to-day,  as  so  unpatriotic  and  void  of 
intelligence  that  they  cannot  cherish  the  memory  of  the 
battle-fields  of  the  Revolution  unless  Congress  taxes  them 
to  build  senseless,  feelingless  monuments  of  marble,  or 
statues  of  bronze,  to  remind  them  of  those  thrilling  scenes 
and  events."  General  Burnside  said  in  reply  : 

I  will  say  in  answer  to  the  Senator  from  Missouri  that  we  are  doing  a 
great  many  things  at  this  centennial  period  that  Clay  and  Webster  and 
Calhoun  and  Benton  never  thought  of  doing,  and  that  there  was  no  occa 
sion  for  doing  while  they  were  in  public  service.  At  this  particular  pe 
riod  of  our  history,  the  centennial  period,  we  should  be  moved  to  take  a 
great  many  patriotic  steps.  Sir,  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  do  something  to 
make  Americans  feel  that  they  have  a  government,  and  therefore  I  do 
not  feel  that  I  am  showing  any  disrespect  whatever  to  Clay,  Calhoun, 
Webster,  and  Benton  by  offering  at  this  centennial  period  my  humble 
service  in  the  direction  in  which  this  bill  points. 

Now,  in  regard  to  the  disrespect  to  the  living  bv  indicating  by  this  bill 
that  there  is  a  lack  of  patriotism  in  this  country  at  this  time,  I  will  say 
that  I  am  willing  to  take  my  share  of  the  responsibility  of  making  that 
indication.  I  think  if  we  can  by  any  means  stimulate  and  increase  the 
patriotism  of  our  people  it  is  our  duty  to  do  so.  I  think  it  is  at  a  low 


368 


LIFE  AND  J'L'BL/C   SERVICES    OF 


ebb;  1  believe  we  are  thinking  too  much  of  the  affairs  of  every-day  life, 
too  much  of  ourselves,  and  if  we  can  think  a  little  more  of  the  public 
good,  it  will  be  better  for  the  country  and  for  all  of  us.  I  speak  for  my 
self,  the  temptation  is  to  think  only  of  what  immediately  surrounds  us, 
what  is  best  for  our  personal  interests,  what  most  conserves  our  comfort, 
and  I  fliink  if  I  can  be  inspired  with  more  patriotism  than  I  have  had,  it 
will  be  a' very  fortunate  thing  for  me,  and  a  fortunate  thing  for  the  work 
I  am  trying  to  do  as  a  public  servant.  I  think  if  we  say  to  anv  com 
munity  that  will  raise  $10,000,  "We  will  give  you  $10,000  to  enable  you 
to  erect  a  Revolutionary  monument,"  we  shall  have  done  a  very  wise 
thing.  There  are  probably  not  over  half  a  dozen  places  in  the  United 
States  Avhere  monuments  will  be  erected. 

I  differ  in  toto  with  the  Senator  from  Missouri  on  all  the  points  he 
makes.  It  is  no  disrespect  to  men  of  the  past  for  us  to  do  things  they 
were  not  called  upon  to  do.  On  the  semi-centennial  anniversary  of  the 
birth  of  our  Nation,  men  and  communities  were  moved  to  great  rejoicing  ; 
and  at  this  centennial  period  it  becomes  doubly  our  duty  to  interest  our 
selves  in  all  the  pageants,  displays,  and  patriotic  enactments  and  work 
which  tend  to  inspire  patriotism.  I  do  not  think  the  patriotism  of  the 
country  is  of  such  high  type  as  to  make  it  entirely  unnecessary  for  us  to 
stimulate  it  by  all  legitimate  methods. 

General  Burnsicle  was  very  careful  in  looking  after  bills 
entrusted  to  him  in  committee  for  the  relief  of  private 
claimants,  and  never  failed  to  have  a  written  report  on  each 
case  prepared  for  presentation  to  the  committee  in  season 
to  have  it  reported  by  the  committee  to  Congress.  He  was 
equally  attentive  to  the  business  of  his  constituents, —  and 
many  who  resided  in  other  states, —  in  the  executive  de 
partments.  Every  Saturday  morning,  when  the  Senate 
had  adjourned  over  from  Friday  until  Monday,  he  would 
(as  he  used  to  remark)  "go  the  grand  rounds"  of  the  de 
partments,  with  a  large  bundle  of  papers.  When  he  had 
once  presented  a  claim,  he  used  to  follow  it  up,  supply 
ing  new  evidence  when  it  was  necessary,  and  insisting 
upon  its  being  promptly  examined. 

Late  in  the  session,  the  bill  providing  for  the  introduc 
tion  of  moral  and  social  science  into  the  public  schools  of 


GEX.    AMBROSE  E.    BCJtXSIDE.  ^ 

the  District  of  Columbia  (see  chapter  xxxiv.) ,  was  reached 
on  the  calendar.  Senator  Whyte,  of  Maryland,  asked 
for  an  explanation  of  the  bill,  and  General  Burnside 
promptly  gave  it,  saying  : 

The  necessity  arises,  in  mv  opinion,  from  the  lack  of  that  sort  of  teach 
ing  in  the  public  schools  which  is  contemplated  by  the  bill.  I  have  had 
letters  from  a  great  many  teachers  who  conduct  the  most  important 
private  schools  in  the  country,  stating  that  this  mode  of  instruction  has 
been  adopted  with  great  success.  It  certainly  can  do  no  harm  to  the 
teachers  and  pupils  to  devote  five  or  ten  minutes  a  day  to  instruction  of 
this  kind.  The  committee  thought  that  once  a  week  would  do  to  start 
with.  I  think  once  a  dav  would  be  better.  If  children  can  be  taught 
that  it  is  much  better  to  be  cleanly  than  not  so  ;  much  better  to  be  honest 
than  dishonest ;  much  better  to  be  truthful  than  untruthful,  and  if  such 
virtues  can  be  impressed  upon  them  once  a  week,  or  once  a  day,  for  five 
or  ten  minutes,  great  good  will  result  in  time  to  both  the  children  and 
teachers. 

The  provisions  of  the  bill  applv  to  the  District  of  Colmr.bia,  and  no 
further,  because  we  have  no  right  to  go  further.  I  think  ii  is  an  experi 
ment  we  can  well  trv,  and,  if  found  not  to  be  useful  in  future,  the  meas 
ure  can  be  very  easily  repealed. 

I  think  none  of  us  have  ever  suffered  from  any  such  teaching  received 
in  our  youth,  but  manv  of  us  have  suffered  from  a  lack  of  such  teaching. 
It  can  do  voung  people  no  harm  to  have  the  social  and  moral  virtues  ex 
plained  and  impressed  upon  them  by  their  teachers,  and  it  will  do  the 
teachers  no  harm  to  train  themselves  in  exercises  of  that  kind;  in  fact,  I 
think  it  will  be  a  great  benefit  to  both  teachers  and  pupils. 

Senator  Whyte  asked  why  the  fourth  section  of  the  bill 
had  been  stricken  out?  That  section  provided:  "That 
emulation  shall  be  cherished  between  the  pupils  in  accu 
mulating  thoughts  and  facts  in  regard  to  the  noble  traits 
possible,  and  in  illustrating  them  by  their  daily  conduct," 
and  Senator  Whyte  said  that  "  if  there  was  anything  in 
the  world  that  ought  to  be  encouraged  it  should  be  emula 
tion  among  the  pupils  at  a  school/'  General  Burnside 
replied:  "So  I  think,  but  it  was  thought  best  by  the 
committee  to  strike  it  out ;  but  all  the  essential  features  of 


GEN.   AMBROSE  E.    BURN  SIDE. 

the  bill  are  retained.  I  think  the  committee  were  a  little 
afraid  it  would  excite  the  ridicule  of  the  people.  Now,  I 
am  not  afraid  of  ridicule.  As  long  as  I  feel  that  I  am 
right,  it  is  a  matter  of  no  consequence  to  me  how  much 
people  may  laugh  at  anything  I  may  do.  If  I  am  satisfied 
that  I  am  right  and  moving  in  the  right  direction,  and  try 
ing  to  do  something  to  benefit  my  friends  and  neighbors, 
people  can  laugh  as  much  as  they  please.  I  am  not  afraid 
of  that  paragraph  of  the  bill  myself.  It  does  not  affect 
the  duties  that  the  bill  imposes  on  teachers  or  on  children, 
and  therefore  I  did  not  strenuously  object  to  having  it 
struck  out  as  long  as  the  principle  of  the  bill  was  retained." 
The  Senate  refused  to  strike  out  the  amendment,  and  the 
bill  was  passed. 

General  Burnside  scrutinized  every  bill  that  came  before 
the  Senate,  especially  those  which  disposed  of  the  public 
domain.  At  the  close  of  the  last  session  of  the  Forty- 
sixth  Congress,  a  bill  granting  a  railroad  company  the 
right  of  way  through  the  Indian  Territory  was  opposed  by 
him,  because  he  regarded  it,  as  he  said,  "  an  unwise  thing 
to  be  compelled  to  vote  on  such  an  important  bill,  without 
having  had  time  to  examine  it." 


\ 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 


THE    EXECUTIVE    SESSION' —  TURN"     OF    THE    POLITICAL    WHEEL  OF 

FORTUNE  — COMMITTEE     SERVICE  —  ACRIMONIOUS     DEBATE  IN 

THE     SENATE  — RESTORATION     OF     HARMONY  —  SUFFRAGE  IN 
RHODE   ISLAND  —  REPORT  ON   THE   MONROE   DOCTRINE. 

THE  Senate  of  the  United  States  was  called  together 
in  executive  session  on  Friday,  the  4th  of  March, 
1 88 1.    The  President-elect,  General  Garfield,  the 
retiring  President,  Mr.  Hayes,  the  Diplomatic  Corps,  the 
Supreme  Court,  officers  of  the  army  and  navy,  and  other 
distinguished  personages  were  on  the  floor  of  the  Senate 
Chamber.     Prominent  among  the  ladies  in  the  galleries, 
were  General  Garfield's  wife  and  his  mother,  whose  faces 
beamed  with  pride  and  enjoyment — so  soon,  alas!  to  be 
changed  to  mourning  and  grief. 

General  Burnside,  with  sixteen  other  Senators,  took 
the  "iron-clad  oath,"  as  administered  by  Vice-President 
Arthur,  while  six  Senators  who  had  served  in  the  Confed 
erate  army  took  the  "modified  oath."  General  Burnside 
never  appeared  in  better  health,  or  to  greater  advantage. 


372  LIFE  AXD   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

than  on  this  occasion.  Tall,  erect,  elegantly  yet  strongly 
made,  his  aspect  was  commanding;  the  expression  of  his 
eyes  indicating  resolution,  while  he  would  occasionally 
glance  at  persons  with  whom  he  was  conversing,  as  if 
anxious  to  read  what  was  passing  in  their  minds  ;  a  gen 
eral  look  of  good-temper  and  fairness  pervaded  his  feat 
ures,  and  his  whiskers,  then  snow-white,  but  of  the  same 
cut  that  he  adopted  before  he  entered  the  academy  at  West 
Point,  gave  him  a  paternal,  if  not  patriarchal  air. 

It  was  to  him  a  great  source  of  satisfaction  that  the 
wheel  of  political  fortune  had  so  far  revolved  as  to  enable 
the  Republican  Senators  to  again  control  the  committees, 
which  had  been  taken  from  them  by  the  Democrats  with  a 
flourish  of  trumpets  two  years  previous. 

But  the  change  had  to  be  postponed.  General  Garfield 
having  appointed  Senators  Elaine,  Windom,  and  Kirk- 
\vood  as  members  of  his  Cabinet,  it  became  necessary  for 
them  to  resign  their  seats  in  the  Senate,  and  the  Republi 
cans  were  consequently  deprived  of  a  majority  until  their 
successors  were  elected  or  appointed.  This  was  done  at 
the  earliest  day,  and  on  the  iSth  of  March,  some  stormy 
debates  having  meanwhile  occurred,  the  Republicans  were 
again  placed  in  possession  of  the  committees  of  the  Senate 
after  a  tie  vote,  by  a  casting  vote  of  Vice-President  Arthur. 

General  Burnside  was  made  chairman  of  the  Committee 
on  Foreign  Relations,  one  of  the  most  responsible  and  im 
portant  on  the  long  list,  and  he  had  associated  with  him 
Senators  Conkling,  Edmunds,  Miller,  Ferry,  Johnston. 
Morgan,  Hill  of  Georgia,  and  Pendletpn.  He  was  also 
second  on  the  Committee  on  Military  Affairs,  and  third 
on  the  Committee  on  Education  and  Labor. 

The  contest  then  arose  on  the  election  of  secretary, 
sergeant-at-arms,  and  several  of  the  principal  clerks,  the 


GEN.    AM/UfOSE  E. 


J73 


offices  being  filled  by  Democrats,  elected  when  that  party 
had  an  effective  preponderance  of  votes  in  the  Senate. 
Senator  Mahone,  of  Virginia,  elected  as  a  "  Readjuster," 
had  nominated  a  personal  and  political  friend  of  his,  Mr. 
Riddelberger  (afterwards 
elected  U.  S.  Senator),  for 
the  office  of  sergeant-at- 
arms,  but  the  Democrats 
refused  -to  permit  the  elec 
tion,  intimating  that  there 
had  been  a  fraudulent  bar 
gain.  This  charge,  Gen 
eral  Burnside  vigorously 
denied.  When  he  felt  he 
could  no  longer  refrain 
from  taking  the  floor,  he 
said  : 

Mr.  President,  I  have  been  si 
lent  during  this  debate,  but  when 
I  noticed  in  the  papers  of  this 
morning  a  statement  that  I  \vas 
one  of  the  conservatives-  who 

rather  advocated  in  the  Republican  caucus  yesterday  that  we  should  back 
down,  I  thought  I  would  take  occasion  to  say  that  I  have  no  right  to  tell 
what  I  did  say  in  caucus,  but  I  have  a  right  to  tell  what  I  did  not  say, 
and  I  now  tell  vou,  Mr.  President,  that  I  have  no  disposition  to  back  any 
on  the  present  issue,  nor  have  I  ever  had  any.  As  long  as  I  live  I  will 
never,  by  any  act  of  mine,  consent  to  the  adoption  of  any  act  or  rule 
which  recognizes  the  theorv  that  the  majoritv  does  not  rule  in  this 
country.  The  principle  that  the  majority  must  rule  lies  at  the  very  foun 
dation  of  the  theory  of  our  government. 

The  duty  which  we  are  trying  to  do  now  is  a  constitutional  duty.  The 
Constitution  of  the  United  States  says  we  shall  elect  our  officers.  I 
would  have  been  glad,  had  the  present  officers  been  left  in  their  places. 
I  would  be  glad,  indeed,  if  the  other  side  would  admit  the  right  of  the 
majority  to  rule,  to  yield  them  the  chairmanship  of  my  committee.  Mr. 
President,  I  would  not  hold  the  chairmanship  of  my  committee  if  I  felt 
that  I  held  it  in  an  improper  wav. 


PRESIDENT    GARFIELD. 


!74 


LIFE   AND  PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


Mr  President,  I  have  not  thirsted  for  this  fight,  and  I  have  never  felt 
like  going  for  the  scalps  of  the  present  officers  of  the  Senate.  I  felt, 
very  impressivelv,  the  mistake  made  by  the  majority  of  the  Senate  two 
years  ago,  when  they  made  a  clean  sweep  of  the  elective  officers  of  this 
body,  and  I  resisted  it  as  long  as  I  thought  it  right  and  proper  to  resist. 
and  then  I  not  only  gave  in  myself,  but  I  counseled  others  to  give  in, 
because  I  felt  that  the  majority  should  rule,  and  the.y  became  responsible 
for  the  results.  I  do  not  claim  that  the  majority  then  inflicted  any  great 
wrong  upon  us,  or  upon  the  public  service.  They  gave  us  officers  who 
have  performed  their  duties  honestly  and  intelligently.  These  officers 
have  kept  many  of  the  Republican  employes  in  the  service  of  the  Senate 
whose  appointment  or  retention  depended  on  them.  I  think  they  were 
wise  in  pursuing  this  course.  But  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Democratic  major 
ity  removed  every  elective  officer  of  this  body.  I  have  felt  no  disposition 
to  dismiss  those  officers.  But,  Mr.  President,  a  precedent  was  established 
then  which  I  shall  observe  as  long  as  I  am  in  the  Senate,  unless  by  com 
mon  consent  it  shall  be  reversed.  It  was  decided  then  that  the  majority 
had  a  right  to  change  the  chairmen  of  committees  and  the  officers  of  the 
Senate  whenever  they  desired  to.  To  that  precedent  I  shall  bow,  as  long 
as  I  am  a  member  of  the  Senate,  until  some  other  course  of  action  is 
taken  by  general  consent  of  the  two  parties.  When  it  shall  be  agreed 
that  all  efficient  officers  shall  remain  in  our  service  during  good  behavior, 
I  will  hail  the  decision  with  great  delight. 

Mr.  President,  -when  the  committees  were  turned  over  to  the  Republi 
cans,  they  received  them  from  the  hands  of  the  Democrats,  and  with  their 
acquiescence.  If  ^ve  secured  the  committees  by  fraud,  the  Democrats  are 
guilty  of  fraud,  because  they  were  participants,  they  were  accessories  to 
the  fraudulent-act  by  which  we  obtained  possession.  They  have  no  right 
to  shield  themselves  in  the  position  they  are  in  now  and  say  they  are  not 
guilty  of  fraud.  If  we  obtained  these  committees  by  fraud  they  are  guilty 
of  fraud,  because  they  could  have  kept  us  from  getting  them,  just  as  they 
are  now  preventing  the  election  of  officers  by  the  majority.  There  is  no 
getting  behind  that. 

The  debate  waxed  warm.  General  Burnside  declared 
that  no  fraud  had  been  committed,  and  for  one,  he  would 
sit  in  his  seat  for  the  remainder  of  his  term  without  tran 
sacting  one  particle  of  public  business,  before  he  would 
consent  to  any  fraudulent  bargain  in  the  election  of  officers  ; 
neither  would  he  consent  to  the  obstruction  of  business  by 
gentlemen  on  the  other  side.  '•  I  say  for  myself,"  said  he, 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

"  that  I  will  sit  here  to  the  end  of  my  term,  before  I  will  con 
sent  to  be  governed  by  a  minority,  and  I  believe,  as  much 
as  I  believe  there  is  a  God,  that  we  are  fairly  in  the  major 
ity."  He  proceeded  to  question  Senator  Hill,  of  Georgia. 
"Does  he,"  said  General  Burnside,  "believe  there  is  a 
single  Senator  on  this  side  of  the  chamber  who  would 
accept  a  chairmanship  of  a  committee  that  had  been  as 
signed  to  him  by  fraud,  or  would  engage  in  a  fraudulent 
transaction  of  that  kind?  Now,  sir,  I  want  to  know  that; 
and  if  there  is  such  an  one,  I  want  to  know  who  he  is." 
Mr.  Hill,  after  some  parleying,  evaded  a  reply,  saying  that 
he  would  not  ask  General  Burnside  whether  he  in  his  .con 
science  believed  that  there  was  any  Senator  on  the  Demo 
cratic  side  who  would  be  a  party  to  a  bargain,  or  would 
accept  the  profits  of  a  bargain.  He  went  on  to  intimate 
that  if  the  matter  should  be  brought  before  a  jury  he  felt 
confident  that  the  Democrats  would  get  a  verdict  of  guilty. 
"  The  Senator's  great  powers  before  a  jury,"  said  Gen 
eral  Burnside,  "  are  well  known  to  the  whole  country,  and 
I  am  not  disposed  in  the  least  degree  to  depreciate  them. 
I  will  venture  to  say  that  he  can  get  a  verdict  of  a  jury  that 
I  cannot.  He  possesses  great  skill  and  power  before  a 
jury,  and  he  has  experience  in  pleading  causes.  I  am 
not  arguing  on  that  position  ;  I  am  not  a  lawyer ;  I  am 
arguing  as  a  plain  citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  as  a 
Senator,  and  as  such  I  say  that  I  would  make  no  such  charge 
in  reference  to  that  side  of  the  chamber,  unless  I  felt  that 
I  could  prove  it.  It  is  a  grave  charge,  and  if  true,  we  on 
this  side  are  in  the  position  of  felons,  occupying  chairman 
ships  of  committees  which  do  not  belong  to  us."  As  the 
debate  went  on,  and  the  Democrats  began  to  "filibuster," 
it  was  intimated  by  their  speakers  that  they  were  following 
the  example  set  them  by  the  Republicans  at  the  end  of  the 


076  LIFE  AXD   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

last  session  of  Congress.  This  General  Burnside  denied, 
stating  that  he  did  not  propose1  to  sit  under  an  imputation 
of  that  kind  without  contradicting  it.  Said  he  : 

The  Senator  from  Kentucky  knows  very  well  that  there  were  Democratic 
votes  withheld  at  that  time,  and  it  was  simply  for  the  purpose  of  aiding 
some  friends  on  this  side  of  the  chamber  to  defeat  certain  nominations 
which  were  distasteful  to  them.  The  conntrv  had  just  as  well  know  that. 
It  was  not  a  partisan  matter  at  all.  Some  of  our  friends  here  desired  to 
defeat  certain  nominations  made  bv  the  late  President,  because  they  were 
not  in  accord  with  their  views.  They  solicited  aid  from  both  sides  of  the 
chamber,  and  they  received  aid  from  both  sides  of  the  chamber.  I  my 
self  left  the  chamber  once  or  twice,  because  I  felt  bad  to  sit  here  and  not 
vote.  It  seems  the  Senator  from  Massachusetts  acted  in  perfect  good 
faith  with  himself,  and  either  was  absent  or  paired  all  the  time.  So  we 
did  not  vote  as  a  party,  and  Aye  did  not  pair  in  that  matter  as  Republicans 
and  Democrats  ;  we  paired  as  friends  to  those  appointments  and  as  opposed 
to  them,  and  I  now  say  here  that  to  my  absolute  knowledge  Democrats 
on  that  side  of  the  chamber  withheld  their  votes. 

This  is  a  partisan  affair,  and  we  arc  voting  every  man  or  pairing  every 
man.  and  we  clearly  stand  before  the  country  in  that  light.  I  announce 
that  I  am  going  with  my  party,  and  you  announce  that  you  are  going 
with  your  party.  I  say  distinctly  and  positively  that  the  action  to  Avhich 
the  Senator  from  Kentucky  refers,  and  which  has  been  so  often  quoted 
on  this  floor,  was  not  a  partisan  affair  in  any  sense.  Xo  man  thought  it 
was  a  partisan  affair  at  that  time.  It  was  simply  a  question  as  to  whether 
we  would  aid  some  of  our  friends  on  this  side  of  the  chamber  to  defeat 
some  nominations  which  President  Hayes  sent  to  the  Senate.  That  was 
the  question  and  the  only  question. 

As  the  debate  proceeded  it  grew  warmer,  and  finally, 
when  Mr.  Butler,  of  South  Carolina,  said  that  the  real 
question  was  whether  there  had  been  "a  disgraceful  bar 
gain  in  the  Senate,  by  which  the  offices  of  the  Senate  are 
proposed  to  be  turned  over  to  somebody  else,"  the  gen 
eral  could  stand  it  no  longer,  and  the  following  sharp  col 
loquy  ensued  : 

Mr.  RTRXSIDK.      It  is  as  to  whether  a  majority  shall  rule  or  not. 
Mr.  Bi'n.KK.      Xo,  sir. 


AMBROSE   E.    BURN  SIDE. 


377 


Mr.  BURXSIDE.     That  is  the  question.     That  is  it  to  a  clot. 

Mr.  BUTLER.     That  lias  nothing  to  do  with  it. 

Mr.  BURXSIDE.  I  sav  there  has  been  no  bargain  ;  and  any  man  who 
says  there  has  been  says  what  is  false.  That  is  the  doctrine.  I  say  any 
man  who  says  that  savs  what  is  false. 

Mr.  BUTLER.  The  Senator  from  Rhode  Island  of  course  may  charac 
terize  it  as  false  as  much  as  he  pleases. 

Mr.  BURXSIDE.     I  do,  distinctly  and  positively. 

Mr.  BUTLER.  I  say,  inasmuch  as  the  Senator  has  seen  fit  to  say  that  — 
no  I  will  not  say  it  in  this  chamber  — 

Mr.  BURXSIDE.      Say  anything.      I  declare  that  any  man  who  says  there 
has  been  a   bargain   says  what  is   false.     That   is  the   argument  exactly. 
Xow  the  Senator  from  South  Carolina  can  say  what  he  likes. 
,     Mr.  BUTLER.     Xo,  sir. 

Mr.  BURXSIDE.  He  can  say  just  what  he  likes.  I  sav  it  is  false,  false, 
false,  in  every  word  and  every  letter,  I  have  heard  this  thing  long 
enough,  Mr.  President,  and  I  do  not  as  an  honorable  man  propose  to  sit 
here  and  listen  to  it  any  longer.  I  declare  that  any  man  who  says  there 
lias  been  a  bargain  on  this  side  of  the  chamber  with  anybody,  a  corrupt 
bargain,  tells  a  falsehood. 

Mr.  BUTLER.  Of  course  the  Senator  from  Rhode  Island  has  a  perfect 
right  to  say  what  he  pleases. 

Mr.  BURXSIDE.     I  will  sav  what  I  know  to  be  the  fact. 

Mr.  BUTLER.     I  shall  not  be  betrayed  into  any  excitement. 

Mr.  BURXSIDE.  Not  a  bit;  I  am  not  the  least  bit  excited.  I  am  just 
giving  emphasis  to  what  I  propose  to  say. 

Mr.  BUTLER.     I  see  that  the  Senator  is  uncommonly  equable. 

Mr.  BURXSIDE.  I  am  in  perfect  good  humor  and  perfectly  calm.  Mr. 
President,  I  beg  pardon  for  talking  in  mv  seat. 

The  PRESIDIXG  OFFICER,  (Mr.  Ferry  in  the  chair.)  The  Chair  will 
remind  Senators  that  they  must  address  the  Chair.  The  Chair  cannot 
recognize  Senators  unless  they  address  the  Chair. 

Mr.  BURXSIDE.     I  shall  do  so  in  the  future. 

Mr.  BUTLER.  I  congratulate  the  Senator  from  Rhode  Island  for  being 
cool.  I  am  delighted  to  see  him  so  cool. 

Mr.  BURXSIDE.  I  did  not  talk  quite  so  loud  as  the  Senator  from  South 
Carolina  —  I  simply  wanted  to~dro\vn  his  voice — but  I  reiterate  my  state 
ment  that  any  man  who  savs  there  has  been  a  bargain  on  this  side  of  the 
chamber  savs  what  is  false. 

Mr.  BUTLER.  That  is  another  case  of  coolness  which  I  shall  not  dis 
cuss  with  the  Senator  here.  I  have  not  the  slightest  idea  of  doing  it.  I 
shall  not  be  betrayed  upon  this  floor  into  any  language  which  is  unpar 
liamentary  to  begin  with.  I  hope,  but  I  want  to  say  to  the  Senator  from 


378 


LIFE   AXD   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


Rhode  Island,  and  I  want  to  say  to  all  the  other  Senators  upon  that  side  of 
the  chamber  who  adopt  the  tactics  which  the  Senator  has  adopted,  if  he 
supposes  bv  the  use  of  such  language  as  that  he  can  deter  me  from  the 
full,  complete,  unqualified  discussion  of  a  public  act,  the  Senator  is  sini- 
plv  mistaken. 

Mr.  BURXSIDE.  Will  the  Senator  allow  me  to  say  that  I  do  not  think 
there  is  a  member  on  this  floor  who  would  say  for  one  moment  that  I  de 
sire  to  deter  any  man  from  anything  like  a  fair,  discussion  ?  I  merely 
mean  to  meet  this  charge  that  has  been  so  often  made  on  that  side  of  the 
chamber,  and  that  has  stirred  me  to  the  very  bottom  of  my  soul  every 
time  it  has  been  made,  and  which  I  know  to  be  false.  I  merely  mean  to 
sav  that  anv  man  who  makes  that  statement  states  what  is  false;  that  is 
all.  I  do  not  want  to  check  discussion;  I  am  delighted  to  hear  all  Sen 
ators  on  that  side  of  the  chamber,  and  every  man  knows  it.  There  is  not 
a  man  on  that  side  of  the  chamber  who  does  not  know  that  I  am  de 
lighted  to  have  him  get  up  and  indulge  in  fair  debate;  but  not  on  a  little 
suspicion  that  is  running  around  through  the  air,  for  one  Senator  to  get 
up  and  talk  about  a  corrupt  bargain.  Does  the  Senator  suppose  that 
there  is  anv  man  on  this  side  of  the  chamber  who  would  engage  in  a  cor 
rupt  bargain?  Does  any  one  on  that  side  of  the  chamber  suppose  there 
is  a  man  on  this  side  of  the  chamber  who  would  engage  in  a  corrupt  bar 
gain?  If  we  would  not  engage  in  a  corrupt  bargain,  how  can  there  be 
such  a  bargain?  As  I  said  the  other  day,  I  do  not  think  there  is  a  man 
on  that  side  of  the  chamber  who  would  be  guilty  of  going  into  a  corrupt 
bargain.  Not  one ;  not  a  single  man  of  you  would  be  guilty  of  corrup 
tion.  I  do  not  like  to  hear  such  things. 

My  friend  knows  the  high  regard  I  have  for  him.  There  is  no  man  in 
the  Senate  Chamber  for  whom  I  have  a  higher  personal  regard  on  either 
side  than  I  have  for  the  Senator;  but  I  do  say  this  thing  ought  to 
stop.  I  do  not  say  it  must  stop,  because  I  cannot  stop  it,  but  I  say  it 
ought  to  stop;  that  in  all  decency,  in  all  propriety,  in  all  honesty,  in  all 
fair  dealing,  the  thing  ought  to  stop.  If  you  can  bring  the  evidence, 
bring  it  and  I  will  vote  to  expel  any  member  of  the  Senate  who  has  been 
guilty  of  anv  such  thing.  If  the  Senator  from  South  Carolina,  or  any 
other  Senator  on  that  side,  will  move  for  the  raising  of  a  committee  to 
investigate  and  put  every  Senator  on  this  floor  upon  oath,  I  will  vote  for 
the  resolution,  and  so  will  every  member  on  this  side  vote  to  call  every 
single  Senator  before  a  committee  and  place  him  under  oath.  Mr.  Pres 
ident,  I  do  not  say  this  thing  must  be  stopped;  I  say  it  ought  to  be 
stopped,  in  all  decency  and  fairness. 

Mr.  BUTLER.  I  am  verv  much  afraid  the  Senator  from  Rhode  Island 
will  lose  his  temper  if  he  keeps  on. 

Mr.  BURXSIUE.     No,  I  am  perfectly  cool ;   I  do  not  think  I  talked  quite 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE.  370 

so  loudly  as  the  Senator  from  South  Carolina ;  I  certainly  did  not  talk  as 
loudly  as  I  have  heard  him  talk  on  this  floor. 

Mr.  BUTLER.  Precisely;  but  I  hope  if  my  voice  jars  upon  the  ears  of 
my  brother  Senators  they  •will  bear  with  me. 

Mr.  BURNSIDE.     Not  at  all ;  I  am  always  delighted  to  hear  it. 

Mr.  BUTLER.  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  the  Senator  from  Rhode  Island 
is  not  shocked  by  what  I  have  said. 

Mr.  BURNSIDE.     Not  at  all ;  I  never  was. 

A  day  or  two  afterwards,  Senator  Beck,  of  Kentucky, 
referred  to  this  debate,  and  intimated  in  a  jocular  way  that 
if  he  took  exceptions  to  anything  that  General  Burnside 
might  say,  he  might  be  shot.  The  general  said  in  reply  : 

I  am  perfectly  willing  the  Senator  shall  indulge  in  any  jocose  remarks 
in  reference  to  me  whenever  he  likes;  I  know  they  are  alwavs  in  good 
temper;  but  I  want  to  say  to  him,  and  I  want  to  say  to  the  Senate,  that  it 
has  never  crossed  my  mind  for  one  moment  to  charge  upon  anv  Senator 
upon  this  floor  any  personal  dishonor  or  any  personal  bad  intent  toward 
me  or  any  member  on  this  side.  All  my  remarks  in  debate  were  made 
in  reference  to  general  charges  made  on  the  other  side  of  the  chamber. 
I  desired  on  that  day  to  give,  in  the  most  emphatic  way  possible,  a  denial 
to  the  charge  which  had  been  made  or  insinuated  upon  that  side,  that 
there  was  a  corrupt  bargain  on  this  side,  and  I  desired  to  make  the  denial 
just  as  emphatic  as  the  charge  had  been  made,  and  I  desired  to  impress 
on  the  country  and  on  my  constituents  that  that  was  an  incorrect  and 
false  charge. 

It  was  very  far  from  my  mind — as  far  as  anything  could  be — to  impute 
personal  untruthfulness  to  anybody  on  that  side  of  the  chamber,  much 
less  the  Senator  from  South  Carolina  (Mr.  Butler),  with  whom  mv 
relations  have  been  always  of  the  most  friendly  nature,  peculiarly  so  ;  and 
I  would  be  the  last  man  on  this  floor  to  impute  to  him  any  personal  dis 
honor  or  any  personal  untruthfulness.  Anybody,  no  matter  who  he  is, 
anywhere  in  this  country,  who  draws  any  other  inference  from  what  I  then 
said,  draws  a  wrong  inference,  and  I  do  not  think  he  is  borne  out  by  the 
language  I  used.  My  language  was  emphatic,  and  I  intended  it  to  be  so  ;  I 
meant  it  to  be  so.  I  was  replying  to  a  general  charge  made  on  that  side  of 
the  chamber;  and  unfortunately  for  the  Senator  from  South  Carolina  and 
myself,  who  are  such  good  friends  and  who  had  never  been  in  collision  in 
debate  before,  we  happened  to  be  the  two  Senators  to  meet.  It  would  have 
been  as  unfortunate  in  the  case  of  any  other  Senator,  because  I  have  no 
disposition  to  get  into  an  altercation  with  any  Senator  on  that  side  of 


o$0  LIFE    AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

the  chamber  or  on  this.  When  I  want  to  bulldoze  anybody,  I  will  not 
take  any  Senator  on  either  side  of  this  chamber;  I  cannot  put  my  mind 
on  any  Senator  on  either  side  of  the  chamber  who  would  submit  to  it. 

Another  thing:  when  I  want  to  make  a  personal  imputation,  I  will  go 
to  the  Senator  or  the  man.  whoever  he  is,  anr'  tell  him  personally  that  I 
do  not  think  he  is  speaking  the  truth  ;  or  that  I  think  he  is  making  a 
false  charge.  I  did  not  mean  to  create  anvsuch  impression  on  anybody's 
mir.c. ;  but  if  I  did  it,  I  hope  it  will  be  removed. 

Mr.  Butler  handsomely  expressed  his  satisfaction  with 
this  disclaimer.  "My  relations,"  said  he,  "  with  the  Sena 
tor  from  Rhode  Island  have  always  been  friendly  and 
kind.  I  know  his  kindness  of  heart  is  so  pronounced  that 
he  is  incapable  of  making  a  reflection  on  a  brother  Sena 
tor.''  Mr.  Beck  at  once  declared  that  if  he  had  made  a 
little  blunder  in  making  any  suggestion  about  the  Senator 
from  Rhode  Island,  the  feelings  expressed  by  himself  to 
the  Senator  from  South  Carolina  had  fully  vindicated  any 
mistake  he  might  have  made,  by  the  restoration  of  entire 
harmony.  Later  in  the  debate  General  Burnside  had  a 
long  running  debate  with  Mr.  Brown,  of  Georgia,  who 
undertook  to  assert  that  some  Republican  newspapers  had 
said  that  a  corrupt  or  improper  contract,  or  bargain,  had 
been  made  to  secure  the  offices  of  the  Senate.  Mr.  Brown 
read  successively  extracts  from  a  number  of  newspapers 
to  prove  his  assertion,  General  Burnside  insisting,  as  he 
proceeded,  that  not  one  of  these  journals  was  a  Republi 
can  newspaper.  Subsequently  he  remarked  : 

I  said  the  other  day  that  I  did  not  think  the  Senator  could  produce  any 
Republican  papers  that  called  this  a  corrupt  bargain.  I  should  not  have 
been  surprised  if  he  had  produced  half  a  dozen,  or  ten,  but  he  has  not.  I 
should  not  have  been  at  all  surprised  if  he  could  have  produced  a  dozen 
or  twenty  that  said  this  was  a  corrupt  bargain,  out  of  all  the  3,000  Repub 
lican  newspapers  in  the  United  States;  but  he  has  not  produced  one  that 
calls  it  a  corrupt  bargain.  He  has  produced  articles  from  independent 
papers  that  squint  that  way,— that  say  it'looks  like  a  corrupt  bargain,  and 
Democrats  have  a  right  to  think  it  is  a  corrupt  bargain,  and  all  that. 


AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 


38l 


That  is  not  a  very  bold  way  of -talking,  and  it  is  indulged  in  a  little  too 
much  in  all  parts  of  the  country.  We  should  all  be  better  oft"  if  we  did 
less  of  it.  Now,  I  maintain  that  I  was  quite  right  in  what  I  stated  the 
other  day  that  the  Senator  cannot  show  that  the  Republican  press  of  this 
country  thinks  in  the  least  degree  that  we  have  been  guilty  of  a  corrupt 
bargain. 

In  the  course  of  this  debate  allusions  were  made  to  the 
elective  franchise  in  Rhode  Island,  and  General  Burnside 
replied  to  those  who  had  criticised  the  institutions  of  his 
state.  He  said  : 

Mr.  President,  within  a  very  few  days  Rhode  Island  has  received  a  vin 
dication  in  this  chamber  from  the  senior  Senator  from  the  State  (Mr. 
Anthony),  which  we  are  all  willing  to  rest  upon.  We  propose  to  manage 
our  own  affairs  in  our  own  way.  We  pass  laws  and  obey  them.  The 
Republican  party  in  Rhode  Island  is  very  largely  in  the  majority,  and  as 
a  rule  all  the  contests  in  the  State  are  between  Republicans.  We  have 
bad  men  in  our  State  in  both  parties,  as  is  the  case  in  all  the  states  of  the 
Union.  Often  when  two  Republicans  get  into  a  political  contest  each 
strives  to  win  Democratic  votes.  Doubtless  votes  of  corrupt  men  have 
been  purchased.  It  was  given  in  evidence  before  one  of  the  committees 
referred  to  by  the  Senator  from  Kentucky  that  the  principal  part  of  the 
purchasable  element  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  is  in  the  Democratic 
party.  I  make  no  such  charge.  In  fact.  I  deny  that  any  considerable 
portion  of  our  citizens  are  corrupt  in  the  exercise  of  the  elective  franchise. 
We  are  an  old  community,  and,  like  all  such,  we  have  our  native  political 
excrescences.  The  proportion  of  foreign  population  to  native-born  is 
greater  than  in  any  other  state  in  the  Union;  and  while  I  desire  to  say 
nothing  against  that  portion  of  our  people,  it  is  but  fair  to  say  that  they 
do  not  equal  the  natives  of  the  State  in  their  knowledge  and  appreciation 
of  our  institutions,  for  the  simple  reason  that  they  are  not  familiar  with 
them.  Many  of  them  are  possessed  of  great  intelligence  and  skill  in  their 
callings.  They  are  with  us,  and  are  growing  very  rapidly  in  knowledge 
of  our  institutions,  their  children  going  to  our  schools,  and  are  making 
good  citizens.  But  I  will  say  to  the  Senator  from  Kentucky  that  I  be 
lieve  our  suffrage  laws  are  good,  as  applied  to  our  State  with  all  attending 
circumstances.  I  was  at  one  time  a  free-suffrage  man  ;  I  disbelieved  in 
the  propriety  of  having  a  registry-tax  for  all  non-tax-payers  ;  I  disbelieved 
in  the  propriety  of  having  a  real-estate  qualification  for  foreign-born  citi 
zens;  but  I  believe  now  that  our  present  system  is  the  wisest  possible 
one  for  us  to  pursue,  in  view  of  all  our  surroundings.  I  would  be  glad  to 


382  LIFE  AND  PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

see  all  foreign-born  citizens  who  belonged   to  the  Union  army  fullv  en 
franchised  in  our  State. 

The  resignations  of  the  Senators  from  New  York, 
Messrs.  Ccnkling  and  Platt,  having  deprived  the  Repub 
licans  of  their  majority  in  the  Senate,  nothing  remained 
but  to  consider  the  nominations  made  by  the  President, 
and  adjourn.  Before  permitting  the  Senate  to  close,  how 
ever,  Senator  Burnside,  from  the  Committee  on  Foreign 
Relations,  of  which  he  was  chairman,  reported  back  a 
resolution  by  Senator  Morgan  which  had  been  referred  to 
it,  with  a  written  report.  This  report  was  read  in  the  Sen 
ate,  and  listened  to  with  marked  attention,  although  it  did 
not  probably  occur  to  any  one  that  it  would  be  the  last 
document  written  by  the  junior  Senator  from  Rhode  Island. 
The  report  was  as  follows  : 

The  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations,  to  whom  was  referred  the  reso 
lution  on  the  construction  of  ship-canals  across  the  Isthmus  of  Darien, 
having  had  the  same  under  consideration,  report : 

That  the  subject  embraced  in  the  resolution  is  one  of  great  national 
importance,  and  worthy  of  the  most  careful  consideration.  The  resolu 
tion  is  as  follows  : 

Refolved,  That  the  interests  of  the  people  of  the  United  States  of  America,  and  the 
•welfare  and  security  of  their  government,  are  so  involved  in  the  subject  of  the  construction 
of  ship-canals  and  others  ways  for  the  transportation  of  sea-going  vessels  across  the  isth- 
nius  connecting'  North  and  South  America,  that  the  government  of  the  United  States,  with 
the  frankness  which  is  due  to  all  other  peoples  and  governments,  hereby  asserts  that  it 
will  insist  thr-t  its  consent  is  a  necessary  condition  precedent  to  the  execution  of  any  such 
project;  and  also  as  to  the  rules  and  regulations  under  which  other  nations  shall  partici 
pate  in  the  use  of  such  canals  or  other  ways,  either  in  peace  or  in  \var. 

This  resolution  was  unanimously  reported  from  the  Committee  on  For 
eign  Relations  by  Hon.  William  W.  Eaton,  its  chairman,  at  the  last  ses 
sion  of  the  Senate,  but  was  not  acted  upon,  for  want  of  time,  and  was 
again  brought  before  the  Senate,  at  this  session,  by  the  Senator  from  Ala 
bama  (Mr.  Morgan). 

Certainly  the  United  States  cannot  remain  silent  and  acquiescing  spec 
tators  and  see  any  European  government  or  corporation  monopolize  the 
control  of  a  great  route  for  the  transportation  of  ships  across  the  Isth 
mus  of  Darien.  It  is  an  affair  of  vital  importance  to  those  who  dwell  on. 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE.  383 

the  Atlantic  and  on   the   Pacific  coasts,  as  well  as  to  the  people  of  our 
whole  country. 

President  Monroe,  a  wise  and  discreet  man,  announced,  in  a  public 
message  to  Congress,  in  December,  1823,  that  "  the  American  continents, 
by  the  free  and  independent  condition  which  they  have  assumed  and 
maintained,  are  henceforth  not  to  be  considered  subjects  for  future  colo 
nization  by  any  European  power."  This  declaration  has  since  been 
known  as  the  "  Monroe  doctrine,"  and  while  it  does  not  directly  apply  to 
the  construction  of  an  inter-oceanic  canal,  the  principle  underlying  it, 
which  principle  lies  at  the  very  foundation  of  our  public  welfare  and 
safety,  leads  us  tp  the  announcement  of  the  doctrine  contained  in  this 
resolution. 

This  "Monroe  doctrine"  has  received  the  public  and  official  sanction 
of  subsequent  Presidents,  as  well  as  of  a  very  large  majority  of  the  Amer 
ican  people.  At  different  times  Great  Britain  has  attempted  to  secure  a 
foothold  on  the  Isthmus  of  Darien,  which  it  is  now  proposed  to  pierce 
with  a  canal,  and  each  time  she  has  been  forced  to  abandon  the  project, 
so  earnest  and  firm  was  the  resistance  offered  by  the  government  of  the 
United  States.  Hon.  Reverdy  Johnson,  who  was  the  Attorney-General 
of  President  Taylor,  thus  alludes  to  one  of  these  attempts  to  found  a  Brit 
ish  colony  on  the  isthmus,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  Hon.  JohnM.  Clayton, 
Dec.  30,  1853.  "  President  Taylor,"  wrote  Mr.  Johnson,  "  had  firmly  re 
solved,  by  all  constitutional  measures  in  his  power,  to  prevent  such  ag 
gression,  if  any  should  be  attempted,  considering,  as  he  did,  that  all  the 
passages  through  the  isthmus  should  be  kept  free,  to  enable  us  to  retain 
our  possessions  in  the  Pacific." 

By  the  passage  of  this  resolution  we  simply  serve  a  notice  to  the  world 
that,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  the  peace,  safety, 
and  general  welfare  of  this  Republic  require  that  it  should  be  consulted 
concerning,  and  should  have  a  voice  in,  the  management  of  any  canal  or 
other  way  for  the  transportation  of  sea-going  vessels  across  the  Isthmus 
of  Darien. 

We  do  not  express  any  doubts  as  to  our  rights,  or  suggest  any  refer 
ence  of  the  subject  to  an  international  tribunal,  because  in  this  matter 
we  are  absolutely  in  the  right.  We  simply  ask  nations  who  may  directly 
or  indirectly  send  their  subjects,  citizens,  or  capital  to  the  isthmus,  that 
they  obtain  the  consent  of  the  United  States,  as  the  power  most  directly 
interested,  and  that  the  rules  and  regulations  for  the  government  of  this 
inter-oceanic  highway  be  made  acceptable  to  us,  whose  interests,  in 
peace  as  in  war,  they  will  so  materially  affect. 

Another  reason  for  the  passage  of  this  resolution  is,  that  companies 
have  been  and  others  may  be  formed  for  the  construction  of  projected 
routes,  which  it  is  well  known  can  never  be  successfully  operated  under 


384 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 


their  present  plans,  and  in  which  the  money  subscribed  will  be  totally 
lost.  Yet  many  of  the  subscribers  have  undoubtedly  been  led  to  be 
lieve  that  the  United  States  government  approved  —  indirectly,  if  not 
directly  —  the  scheme  in  which  they  have  invested.  This  should  not  be. 
No  one,  at  home  or  abroad,  should  be  beguiled  into  the  investment  of 
accumulated  property  or  of  hard  earnings  by  the  belief  that  the  govern 
ment  of  the  United  States  approved  the  project.  A  declaration  by  the 
Senate  that  the  government  would  insist  that  its  consent  is  a  necessary 
condition-precedent  to  the  execution  of  any  such  scheme,  would  be  a 
warning  to  investors  not  to  take  any  stock  in  an  unauthorized  enterprise. 
The  honor  of  the  country  will  thus  be  protected  against  accusations  that 
its  name  led  individuals,  in  this  and  other  lands,  to  make  investments 
which  were  to  them  total  losses. 

However  we  may  be  divided  on  political  questions,  and  however  we 
may  wrangle  on  matters  of  domestic  interest,  the  United  States  Senate 
has  never  failed,  when  a  matter  relating  to  foreign  complications  came 
before  it,  involving  the  general  welfare  and  peace  of  the  country,  to  stand 
shoulder  to  shoulder,  and  to  assert  what  the  public  interests  demanded. 

We  therefore  recommend  the  passage  of  the  resolution  already  pub 
lished  in  this  report. 

There  was  a  difference  of  opinion  among  Senators  as  to 
the  propriety  of  acting  on  a  question  of  this  kind.  The 
Constitution  says  that  all  legislative  powers  shall  be  vested  . 
in  a  Senate  and  a  House  of  Representatives,  the  whole  of 
them,  not  a  part  of  them,  and  the  same  Constitution  pre 
vents  either  house  from  adjourning  for  a  longer  period 
than  three  days,  and  acting  separately  from  the  others. 
Congress  alone  has  power  to  declare  war,  and  Congress 
is  composed  of  two  houses.  For  that  reason  many  Sen 
ators  felt  that  such  a  resolution  should  not  be  passed  with 
out  the  concurrence  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  and 
it  was  consequently  postponed  until  the  first  Monday  in 
December.  Before  that  day  arrived,  the  Senator  who 
had  presented  it  lay  still  in  death. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 


RETURN  TO  RHODE  ISLAND  —  ASSASSINATION  OF  PRESIDENT  GAR- 
FIELD  —  ACCIDENT  —  LAST  HOURS  —  DEATH  —  RHODE  ISLAND'S 
MOURNING  — DEMONSTRATIONS  OF  RESPF.CT  —  FAREWELL  TO 
"EDGHILL"— SERVICES  AT  BRISTOL  —  THE  REMAINS  LYING  IX 
STATE  AT  PROVIDENCE. 

GENERAL  BURNSIDE,  contrary  to  his  usual  cus 
tom,  remained  at  Washington  a  few  days  after  the 
adjournment  of  the  Senate.  He  then  went  to 
"Edghill  Farm,"  where  he  enjoyed  the  comforts  and  at 
tractions  of  his  rural  home.  His  herd  of  Alderney  cattle 
was  increasing,  land  which  he  had  reclaimed  was  bearing 
large  crops  ;  trees  which  he  had  planted  were  growing,  and 
he  greatly  enjoyed  being  out  with  his  workmen,  especially 
when  he  was  superintending  some  new  improvement.  He 
paid  frequent  visits  to  Providence,  and  would  occasionally 
go  to  Newport,  where  he  was  a  welcome  guest.  Some 
times  he  would  enjoy  a  short  excursion  on  Narragansett 
Bay  in  a  beautiful  steam-yacht,  which  was  always  placed 
at  his  disposal  by  Mr.  Herreshoflf,  the  celebrated  blind 
constructor  of  these  beautiful  and  fast  craft. 

He  was  greatly  disturbed  by  the  terrible  news  of  Gen 
eral  Garfield's  assassination,  and  had  at  first  hopes  that 
the  President  might  recover.  The  career  of  the  two  men 
had  not  been  unlike.  Each  had  known  poverty  when 


386  GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE. 

young,  and  had  earned  his  daily  bread  ;  each  had  served 
his  country  honorably  during  the  war  for  the  suppression 
of  the  Rebellion  ;  and  each  one  had  received  high  civil 
honors  from  the  people  of  his  state.  It  was  not  strange 
that  the  two  became  intimate  friends,  and  General  Burn- 
side  was  saddened  by  the  news  that  the  President,  who 
had  passed  through  battles  unharmed,  had  fallen  by  the 
assassin's  bullet.  Little  did  he  think  that  he  would  be  the 
first  of  the  two  to  pass 'away.  Riding  out  one  day  in  the 
vicinity  of  his  farm,  General  Burnside's  horse  ran  away, 
and  he  was  thrown  from  his  carnage  with  some  force,  jar 
ring  him  and  injuring  one  of  his  feet.  This  prevented  his 
delivering  the  annual  address,  as  he  had  expected,  before 
the  Aquidneck  Agricultural  Society,  but  he  recovered  his 
health  sufficiently  to  enable  him  to  accompany  his  friends, 
Senator  Anthony  and  Judge  Burges,  of  Providence,  on  a 
visit  to  Saratoga  Springs.  The  water  appeared  to  benefit 
him,  and  he  returned  to  "  Edghill  Farm"  in  improved 
health,  although  occasionally  he  would  complain. 

On  the  6th  of  September,  iSSi,  General  Burnside  felt 
quite  indisposed,  and  complained  at  times  during  the  fol 
lowing  days  of  that  week,  but  it  was  Saturday  night  be 
fore  he  summoned  his  family  physician,  Dr.  Barnes.  On 
Sunday  his  nieces  passed  the  day  with  him  at  "  Edghill 
Farm,"  and  Dr.  Barnes  paid  him  a  visit.  He  did  not 
appear  seriously  ill,  or  in  any  way  alarmed  about  his  con 
dition,  and  those  who  saw  him  little  dreamed  that  "  the 
silver  cord  was  soon  to  be  loosed." 

On  Monday,  Sept.  12,  General  Burnside  escorted  his 
nieces  to  Providence,  where  he  visited  Senator  Anthony, 
at  the  Senator's  house.  He  remarked  that  he  had  been 
somewhat  "under  the  weather,"  and  had  consulted  his  phy 
sician,  but  felt  better.  When  he  was  about  to  leave,  Senator 


388 


LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


Anthony  proposed  sending  for  a  carriage  to  take  him  to 
the  railway-station,  but  he  declined,  saying  that  it  would 
do  him  good  to  walk,  and  started  off  with  his  firm,  military 
stride.  On  his  arrival  at  Bristol,  Robbie,  the  son  of  his 
faithful  colored  servant,  Robert  Hollowav,  met  him  at  the 
railway-station  with  a  carriage,  and  he  drove  himself 
home,  exchanging  cordial  greetings  with  his  friends  and 
acquaintances  as  he  passed  through  the  streets  of  Bristol* 
and  out  to  "  Edghill  Farm." 

On  entering  his  house  he  went  to  his  room,  as  was  his 
custom,  took  off  his  coat  and  boots,  and  put  on  his  dressing- 
gown  and  slippers.  He  complained  to  his  servants  several 
times  in  the  evening  of  severe  pains  in  the  region  of  his 
heart,  but  declined  to  follow  their  suggestion  that  he 
should  send  for  his  physician.  In  the  morning  the  ser 
vants  found  him  walking  about  the  house  dressed,  as  they 
had  left  him  the  night  before.  He  said  that  he  had  suf 
fered  a  great  deal  of  pain  throughout  the  night,  and  had 
not  been  to  bed.  The  pain  appeared  to  increase,  and 
about  nine  o'clock  he  consented  to  1iave  Robbie  sent  for 
Doctor  Barnes.  Before  the  doctor  could  arrive  the  pain 
had  become  very  intense,  and  he  threw  himself  on  his 
bed  in  great  agony.  When  the  doctor  entered  his  room, 
General  Burnside,  recognizing  him,  remarked  that  some 
thing  must  be  done  at  once,  and  asked  that  morphine  be 
given  him.  These  were  the  last  audible  words  that  lie 
uttered.  His  pulse  became  erratic,  and  his  spirit  soon 
passed  away. 

No  one  was  present  when  General  Burnside's  eyes  were 
closed  for  the  sleep  that  knows  no  waking,  except  his  ser 
vants  and  Dr.  Barnes.  Mr.  Alexander  Perry,  an  intimate 
friend  and  neighbor,  soon  arrived,  and  in  a  few  hours 
Governor  Littlefield,  Senator  Anthony,  Representatives 


388  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

Anthony  proposed  sending  for  a  carriage  to  take  him  to 
the  railway-station,  but  he  declined,  saying  that  it  would 
do  him  good  to  walk,  and  started  off  with  his  firm,  military 

:.  stride.  On  his  arrival  at  Bristol,  Robbie,  the  son  of  his 
faithful  colored  servant,  Robert  Hollow  ay,  met  him  at  the 
railway-station  with  a  carriage,  and  he  drove  himself 
home,  exchanging  cordial  greetings  with  his  friends  and 
acquaintances  as  he  passed  through  the  streets  of  Bristol, 
and  out  to  "  Edghill  Farm." 

On  entering  his  house  he  went  to  his  room,  as  was  his 
custom,  took  off  his  coat  and  boots,  and  put  on  his  dressing- 

-  gown  and  slippers.  He  complained  to  his  servants  several 
times  in  the  evening  of  severe  pains  in  the  region  of  his 
heart,  but  declined  to  follow  their  suggestion  that  he 
should  send  for  his  physician.  In  the  morning  the  ser 
vants  found  him  walking  about  the  house  dressed,  as  they 
had  left  him  the  night  before.  He  said  that  he  had  suf 
fered  a  great  deal  of  pain  throughout  the  night,  and  had 
not  been  to  bed.  The  pain  appeared  to  increase,  and 
about  nine  o'clock  he  consented  to  1iave  Robbie  sent  for 
>  Doctor  Barnes.  Before  the  doctor  could  arrive  the  pain 
had  become  very  intense,  and  he  threw  himself  on  his 
bed  in  great  agony.  When  the  doctor  entered  his  room, 
General  Burnside,  recognizing  him,  remarked  that  some 
thing  must  be  done  at  once,  and  asked  that  morphine  be 
given  him.  These  were  the  last  audible  words  that  he 
uttered.  His  pulse  became  erratic,  and  his  spirit  soon 
passed  away. 

No  one  was  present  when  General  Burnside's  eyes  were 
closed  for  the  sleep  that  knows  no  waking,  except  his  ser 
vants  and  Dr.  Barnes.1  Mr.  Alexander  Perry,  an  intimate 
friend  and  neighbor,  soon  arrived,  and  in  a  few  hours 
Governor  Littlefield,  Senator  Anthony,  Representatives 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE.  389 

Chase  and  Aldrich,  and  other  personal  friends,  came  from 
Providence.  Instead  of  the  usual  greeting  from  the  hos 
pitable  general,  they  found  him  cold  in  death.  The  im 
mediate  cause  of  his  decease  was  angina  factor  is,  or  neu 
ralgia  of  the  heart. 

Rhode  Island  was  soon  informed  that  her  distinguished 
adopted  son,  of  whose  fame  she  was  so  justly  proud,  had 
ceased  to  exist,  and  it  was  promptly  decided  that  his  ob 
sequies  should  be  of  the  most  impressive  description,  that 
contemporaries  and  posterity  might  know  how  deeply  he 
was  loved  and  honored  at  his  home.  The  following  pro 
clamation  was  issued  by  the  governor  : 

STATE  OF  RHODE  ISLAND,  EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT,  ) 
PROVIDENCE.  Sept.  13,  1881.  j 

It  is  my  painful  duty  to  announce  officially  to  the  people  of  the  State 
that  the  Hon.  Ambrose  E.  Burnside,  the  junior  Senator  from  this  State 
in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  died  suddenly  at  his  residence  in 
Bristol  this  day  at  10.55  o'clock,  A.  M.  His  eminent  services  to  the  State 
and  to  the  country,  his  noble  traits  of  character,  and  the  universal  es 
teem  in  which  he  has  been  held,  combine  to  make  the  loss  a  public 
calamity.  His  funeral  services  will  take  place  on  Friday  next  at  12 
o'clock,  noon,  and  I  request  that  between  the  hours  of  i^  o'clock,  noon, 
and  2  o'clock,  p.  M.,  on  that  day,  all  public  offices  be  closed;  and  that 
as  a  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memorv  of  our  deceased  fellow-citizen,  all 
business  be,  so  far  as  practicable,  suspended. 

ALFRED   11.   LITTLEFIELD,    Governor. 

The  city  of  Providence,  which  was  the  legal  residence 
of  the  deceased  hero,  wished  to  show  its  respect  and  love 
for  him,  and  the  mayor  issued  his  proclamation,  as  fol 
lows  : 

CITY  OK  PROVIDENCE.  EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT,  ) 
CITY  HALL.  Sept.  14.  iSSi.  ) 

The  sudden  death  of  General  Ambrose  E.  Burnside,  officially  announced 
by  His  Excellency  Governor  Littlefield.  awakens  feelings  of  universal 
sorrow  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  of  this  city. 


39° 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


As  a  citizen,  as  general  in  the  army,  as  governor  of  the  State,  as  Sen 
ator  in  the  United  States  Senate,  lie  has  brought  honor  and  distinction 
to  our  city,  to  our  commonwealth,  and  to  our  country. 

The  City  Council  having  by  resolution  taken  action  in  relation  to  the 
observance  of  his  obsequies,  and  ordered  the  offices  of  the  various 
municipal  departments  closed  for  the  transaction  of  business  from  Thurs 
day,  Sept.  15.  at  9  o'clock,  A.  M..  to  the  following  Saturday,  at  9  o'clock, 
A.  M.,  I  have  deemed  it  especially  appropriate  to  add  my  request  to  that 
of  the  governor  of  this  State,  that  out  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the 
dead  citizen  and  soldier,  all  places  of  business  be  closed,  so  far  as  practi 
cable,  between  the  hours  of  9  A.  M.  and  2  r.  M.,  on  Friday  next,  the  day 

of  the  funeral. 

WILLIAM   IIAYWARD,  Mayor. 

As  the  sad  news  of  General  Burnside's  death  reached 
other  sections  of  the  Republic,  it  prompted  expressions  of 
regret ;  and  action  was  taken  by  the  numerous  associations 
to  which  he  belonged,  declaring  their  regard  for  him,  and 
in  many  instances  making  arrangements  for  an  attendance 
at  his  funeral. 

The  Hon.  Chester  A.  Arthur,  Vice-President,  and  pres 
ident  of  the  Senate,  directed  the  sergeant-at-arms  of  that 
body  to  invite  by  telegraph  such  Senators  as  were  accessi 
ble,  to  attend  General  Burnside's  funeral.  .  The  Senate 
Chamber  was  draped  in  mourning,  and  the  flag  on  the 
Senate  wing  of  the  Capitol  was  displayed  at  half-mast, 
in  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  late  Senator.  The  mem 
bers  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps,  who  served  under  General 
Burnside.  met  in  Boston  and  passed  resolutions  bearing 
testimony  to  the  many  virtues  of  their  late  commanding 
general :  his  loyalty  to  the  government,  which  never  per 
mitted  him  to  hesitate  as  to  his  duty  ;  his  brave  conspicu- 
ousness  upon  every  field  of  battle  ;  his  generous  love  for 
his  soldiers ;  his  cheerful  confidence  in  his  lieutenants ; 
his  zeal,  which  impelled  him  to  push  for  victory  against 
the  most  formidable  obstacles ;  his  goodness  of  heart, 
purity  of  life,  and  honesty  of  purpose  ;  and  a  personal 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE.  301 

modesty  that  attached  him  in  most  cordial  love  and  esteem 
to  all  who  shared  with  him  the  glory  and  danger  of  battle, 
from  the  first  Bull  Run  to  the  final  surrender  at  Appo- 
mattox. 

The  Providence  Board  of  Trade,  which  did  not  custom 
arily  take  public  notice  of  the  death  of  its  members,  met 
and  passed  resolutions  on  the  death  of  General  Burnside, 
which  concluded  by  stating  that  "the  open  countenance, 
manly  figure,  and  great  heart  of  Burnside  endeared  him 
to  the  people  of  his  adopted  state ;  poor  as  well  as  rich, 
weak  as  well  as  strong,  have  felt  the  warm  grasp  of  his 
hand,  benefited  by  his  assistance  and  encouragement,  and 
all  alike  will  mourn  his  loss." 

The  quaint  old  town  of  Bristol,  with  its  atmosphere  of 
peaceful  life,  was  saddened  by  the  death  of  its  esteemed 
townsman,  and  even  the  gentle  breeze  which  was  wafted 
over  Narragansett  Bay,  on  which  he  used  to  love  to  sail, 
appeared  softened  and  saddened  by  the  desolation  which 
filled  the  hearts  of  his  neighbors  and  friends,  especially 
the  children,  by  whom  he  was  deeply  loved.  The  whole 
town  was  in  mourning,  as  if  for  a  beloved  relative,  and  the 
public  ceremonies,  if  they  did  not  prefigure  the  pomp  and 
elaboration  which  characterized  the  official  obsequies  at 
Providence  on  the  following  day,  were  as  affecting  as 
they  were  sincere  and  heartfelt. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  Thursday,  Sept.  15,  1881,  the 
relatives  and  friends  of  General  Burnside  gazed  for  the 
last  time  on  his  placid  features  at  "Edghill  Farm."  The 
remains  lay  in  a  casket  covered  with  black  broadcloth, 
with  silver  handles,  and  a  plate  bearing  the  inscription  : 

AMBROSE    E.   BUKNSIDE, 

I?ORN  MAY  23    iS2(, 
DIED  SEPTEMBER  13,  iSSi. 


392  LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

In  the  casket  were  rosebuds  and  smilax,  and  in  his  hand 
.  was  a  bunch  of  his  favorite  roses.  On  the  casket  was  the 
magnificent  sword  presented  to  "Major-General  Burnside 
through  the  award  of  the  Metropolitan  Fair,  United  States 
Sanitary  Commission,  New  York,  April  22,  1864,"  and 
bearing  the  motto,  "  Courage  and  Truth."  Near  by,  on 
a  table,  were  three  exquisite  floral  pieces  —  an  anchor,  a 
cross,  and  a  shield  —  the  tributes  of  the  town.  After  a 
simple,  yet  impressive  religious  service  by  the  Rev.  Geo. 
L.  Locke,  the  relatives  and  domestics  of  the  deceased  took 
their  farewell  look  at  their  departed  friend,  and  the  remains 
were  then  taken  to  the  hearse,  drawn  by  four  black  horses, 
and  escorted  by  the  Bristol  Veteran  Association,  Col. 
Charles  A.  Waldron,  commanding.  The  pall-bearers, 
relatives,  and  mourning  friends  followed  in  carriages,  and 
all  that  \vas  mortal  of  the  deceased  cultivator  of  "  Edghill 
Farm"  was  borne  from  his  beautiful  home,  along  the  ave 
nue  which  had  echoed  his  manly  tread  during  its  improve 
ment,  and  where  the  tones  of  his  voice  had  not  yet  utterly 
died  away. 

The  mournful  procession  moved  along  the  ferry  road, 
hundreds  of  citizens  meeting  it  and  forming  in  the  rear, 
while  on  the  sidewalks  were  throngs  of  people,  many  a 
bowed  head  and  moistened  eye  testifying  to  the  love  and 
esteem  in  which  the  departed  was  held. 

St.  Michael's  Church,  where  the  deceased  had  wor 
shiped,  was  attended  by  an  immense  congregation.  The 
pulpit,  reading-desk,  and  chancel  rail,  were  heavily 
draped  with  the  emblems  of  mourning.  Upon  the  font 
rested  a  large  floral  anchor,  and  the  drapery  of  the  pulpit 
and  desk  were  looped  up  with  white  flowers.  General 
Burnside's  pew,  on  the  north  aisle,  was  also  draped  and 
decked  with  flowers,  and  at  the  central  loop  in  the  drapery 
were  placed  two  small  American  flags  with  crossed  staves. 


GEX.    AMKHOSE    E.    Bl'ltNSIDE.  ->go 

The  remains  were  met  in  the  vestibule  of  the  church 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Locke,  who  preceded  them  up  the  broad 
aisle,  reading  the  opening  sentences  of  the  burial-service, 
the  muffled  roll  of  the  drum  and  the  soft  strains  from  the 
organ  making  an  impressive  accompaniment  to  the  clergy 
man's  voice.  The  members  of  the  Veteran  Association, 
with  the  state  and  local  officials,  followed  the  casket, 
which  was  set  down  on  the  chancel  platform.  The  servi 
ces  commenced  with  the  burial  psalm,  read  and  chanted 
alternately,  by  the  rector  and  the  male  choir  of  Trinity 
Church.  The  hymn,  "  Thy  will  be  done,"  was  next 
chanted  by  the  choir,  and  then  followed  the  prayers,  in 
cluding  the  several  collects  for  Congress,  for  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States,  and  for  a  family  in  affliction. 
At  the  conclusion  of  the  prayers,  the  choir  chanted  the 
DC  Profundis.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Locke,  standing  at  the 
side  of  the  casket,  then  said  : 

While  the  whole  Nation  to-day  mourns  the  loss  of  that  gift  which  God, 
having  given  to  the  Nation,  has  reclaimed  —  the  gift  of  a  brave,  skillful, 
and  chivalric  soldier;  of  an  honest,  pure-minded  statesman  —  we  mourn 
with  the  Nation.  And  while  to-day  this  Commonwealth  mourns  the  re 
moval  of  one,  who  for  many  years  past  it  has  delighted  to  honor,  we 
mourn,  as  a  portion  of  this  Commonwealth.  But  we  have  our  special 
and  private  grief  to-day.  We  came  here  especially  to  honor  one  whom 
we  have  known  not  only  in  these  relations,  but  as  the  fellow-citizen,  as 
the  noble,  generous  man,  whom  every  one,  young  and  old,  in  this  com 
munity  claimed  to  know,  and  of  whom  the  claim  of  every  one,  young 
and  old,  was  acknowledged.  We  have  come  to  take,  as  it  were,  in  some 
sort,  our  farewell  of  this  familiar  and  majestic  form  that  we  shall  see  no 
more  amongst  us  henceforth,  forever.  The  occasion  is  not  so  much  to 
anticipate  the  burial  services  which  will  be  held  to-morrow  in  the  div 
ot"  Providence,  at  the  church  with  which,  more  closely  perhaps  than  this 
in  which  we  are  assembled,  our  noble  friend  was  related.  We  are  not 
here,  moreover,  as  on  an  occasion  of  funeral  eulogies.  That  which  is  in 
the  hearts  of  this  great  assembly  would  require  a  long  time  for  utter 
ance,  and  the  time  available  is  quile  inadequate  to  anything  more  than 
brief,  simple  words.  But  that  which  it  is  designed  that  this  should  be 


394 


LIFE  AND  PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


especially,  is  that  all  of  you  ma}'  have  the  opportunity  of  coming  forward 
to  take  a  last  farewell  view  of  this  beloved  and  honored  face. 

The  lid  of  the  casket  was  then  removed,  and  all  present 
had  an  opportunity  to  take  a  parting  look  at  the  well- 
known  features  of  their  deceased  townsman  and  friend. 
At  half-past  ten  o'clock,  the  casket  was  closed  and  again 
placed  in  the  hearse.  The  procession  was  re-formed,  and 
marched  to  the  railroad-station,  the  church-bells  tolling 
continuously  a  mournful  farewell.  On  reaching  the  sta 
tion,  the  remains  were  placed  on  a  special  train,  on  which 
the  Veteran  Association,  the  pall-bearers,  and  the  state 
and  local  authorities  also  embarked.  The  trip  to  Provi 
dence  was  made  in  twenty  minutes,  and  at  the  way- 
stations  crowds  of  people  stood  in  quiet  and  respectful 
curiosity  as  the  train  swept  by. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  train  at  the  railroad-depot  in 
Providence,  the  remains  with  their  escort  were  received  by 
the  general  committee  of  citizens.  Before  proceeding 
to  the  City  Hall,  however,  the  cortege  marched  up  Benefit 
Street,  to  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Bishop,  the  venerable 
mother-in-law  of  the  deceased.  Here  there  was  a  halt, 
and  the  casket  was  carried  into  the  house  to  permit  the 
aged  lady  and  invalid  to  gaze  for  the  last  time  upon  the 
well-loved  features  of  him  so  devoted  to  her.  With  her 
were  her  nieces  and  other  relatives  of  his.  As  the  sound 
of  suppressed  lamentation  reached  the  ears  of  the  Veteran 
Corps  without,  the  twitching  of  eyelids  and  grizzled 
mustaches,  and  the  settled  grimness  which  came  over  the 
countenances  of  many,  gave  evidence  that  the  grief  of 
the  stricken  family  found  a  response  in  their  own  hearts. 
In  a  few  moments  the  casket  was  replaced  in  the  hearse, 
and  the  column  marched  to  the  City  Hall,  in  front  of  which 
it  was  halted. 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE. 

The  City  Hall,  a  new  and  elegant  structure,  was  elabor 
ately  decorated,  and  on  either  side  of  the  main  entrance 
were  bodies  of  the  state  militia,  and  of  the  Grand  Army 


HALL,    I'KOVIDENCK,    K.    I. 


of  the  Republic,  who  presented  arms  as  the  casket  was 
borne  up  the  broad  staircase  into  the  rotunda.  Col.  Sam 
uel  Norris,  of  the  Bristol  town  committee,  stepped  forward 
and  thus  addressed  the  chairman  of  the  Providence  general 
committee  of  arrangements  : 


306  GEX.    AMBROSE   E.    BURXSIDE. 

Mr.  Chairman  :  In  behalf  of  the  committee  appointed  by  the  citizens 
of  Bristol,  I  have  the  sad  honor  of  delivering  to  you  the  beloved  remains 
of  our  distinguished  fellow-townsman,  Gen.  Ambrose  E.  Burnside.  We 
all  loved  him,  and  part  with  him  with  the  profoundest  grief. 

Col.  William  Goddard,  chairman  of  the  Providence 
general  committee,  then  made  the  following  response  : 

Rhode  Island  commissions  us  to  receive  these  mortal  remains  of  her 
illustrious  and  beloved  son  from  the  citizens  of  the  town  in  which  he 
dwelt  and  died.  Reverently  guarded  by  his  own  veteran  soldiers,  his 
lifeless  form  will  lie  beneath  these  solemn  arches,  that  all  who  loved  him 
in  life  may,  even  through  blinding  tears,  once  more  behold  that  dear  and 
gracious  face.  On  the  morrow  all  that  was  mortal  of  Ambrose  Everett 
Burnside  will  be  buried  from  human  eyes.  But  the  precious  memory  of 
his  peerless  honor,  his  inspiring  patriotism,  his  glowing  devotion  to  duty, 
his  heroic  courage,  and  of  his  knightly  deeds,  will  abide  forever  in  the 
hearts  of  the  people  of  Rhode  Island. 

Comrades  :  The  State  commands  you  to  guard  well  the  ashes  of  the 
hero  whose  fame  has  now  become  her  own  inheritance. 

Throughout  the  afternoon,  and  until  late  in  the  evening, 
a  sad  procession  of  visitors  passed  the  open  casket,  as 
the  remains  lay  in  state.  Men,  women,  and  children,  the 
old  and  the  young,  flocked  in  crowds  to  see  once  more 
those  well-known  features, 

"  And  gaze  upon  the  great, 

Where  neither  guilty  glory  glows 
Xor  despicable  state." 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 


FUN'EUAL  AT  PROVIDENCE —THE  MILITARY  DISPLAY  — THE  VETER 
ANS—THE  PROCESSION'— SERVICES  IN  THE  CHURCH  —  EULOGY 
HY  THE  REV.  MR.  WOODBURY  —  THE  LAST  MARCH  — THE  INTER 
MENT. 

THE  last  funeral  rites  over  the  remains  of  General 
Burnside  were  celebrated  on  Friday,  Sept.  16, 
iSSi,  at  the  city  of  Providence.  The  public  hon 
ors  decreed  by  the  state  authorities  in  honor  of  Rhode 
Island's  illustrious  citizen  were  duly  rendered,  and  truly 
may  it  be  added  that  no  obsequies  ever  before  celebrated 
there  had  more  sincerely  expressed  the  public  sorrow.  Of 
the  many  distinguished  citizens  of  Rhode  Island  who  had 
ended  their  lives  within  her  limits,  and  whose  stations 
and  virtues  had  claimed  for  their  ashes  every  mark  of 
respect,  there  had  never  been  one  at  whose  obsequies  the 
public  heart  had  been  so  deeply  affected.  The  feeling  of 
every  one  seemed  to  be  as  though  he  had  lost  a  personal 
friend,  and  this  sentiment  of  affection  was  universally 
blended  with  admiration. 

Providence  was  tilled,  early  on  the  morning  of  the 
funeral,  with  a  flood  of  people,  like  a  harbor  of  the  sea 
swollen  to  its  brim  at  the  sea-tide.  Business  was  sus 
pended,  the  public  offices  and  many  of  the  private  dwell 
ing-houses  were  shrouded  in  mourning,  the  national  colors 


GEN.    AMBILOSE  -E.    ii-URNSIDE. 

were  displayed  at  half-mast,  and  on  every  hand  were 
evidences  of  a  calamity  as  unlocked  for  as  it  was  great. 
Men  in  uniform  were  everywhere  visible,  the  music  of 
military  bands  was  heard,  and  the  sharp  rattle  of  the 
drums  still  more  unfailingly  impressed  the  fact  upon  the 
heart. 

The  doors  of  the  City  Hall  were  opened  at  six  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  and  the  public  were  admitted  to  view  the 
mortal  remains  of  the  dead  hero.  There  he  lay,  whose 
estimate  of  duty  was,  to  obey,  to  command  and  to  be 
obeyed, —  pallid,  lifeless,  and  still. 

"  Can  this  be  death? — then  -what  is  life  or  death? 

'  Speak!' — hut  he  spoke  not ;   '  Wake  !' but  still  he  slept. 
But  vesterdav,  and  who  had  mightier  breath? 

A  thousand  warriors  by  his  word  were  kept 
In  awe;   he  said,  as  the  centurion  saith, 

'  Go,'  and  he  goeth  ;   '  come,'  and  forth  he  stepp'd. 
The  trump  and  bugle  till  he  spake  were  dumb; 
And  now,  naught  left  him  but  the  muffled  drum." 

It  was  noticed  that  the  expression  on  no  two  faces  was 
alike,  as  the  passing  throng  gazed  on  the  features  of  the 
deceased.  Mothers  brought  their  children  to  see  the  face 
of  their  fathers'  beloved  commander,  and  veterans  who 
had  honorably  filled  various  grades  in  the  army,  took  a 
last  look  at  him  whom  they  had  loved  so  well.  Delega 
tions  from  distant  cities  brought  rare  floral  devices,  and 
other  floral  tributes  were  contributed  by  the  people  of 
Rhode  Island.  It  was  estimated  that  during  five  hours 
over  one  hundred  persons  a  minute  walked  past  and 
viewed  the  remains. 

Promptly  at  eleven  o'clock  the  casket  was  closed  and 
borne  out  from  the  City  Hall  to  the  hearse  by  a  detach 
ment  of  veterans,  and  followed  by  the  pall-bearers  :  Hon. 
John  P.  Sanborn,  Hon.  W.  W.  Hoppin,  T.  P.  I.  Goddard, 


! 


^00  LIFE   AXD    PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

Hon.  Le  B.  B.  Colt,  the  Rev.  E.  G.  Robinson,  D.  D., 
Hon.  George  H.  Browne,  Hon.  Charles  S.  Bradley,  Hon. 
L.  W.  Ballou,  Col.  George  R.  Fearing,  and  Maj.-Gen.  J. 
G.  Parke,  U.  S.  A.  They  were  followed  by  the  Congres 
sional  Committee,  composed  of  Senators  Anthony  of  Rhode 
Island,  Blair  of  New  Hampshire,  Cameron  of  Pennsyl 
vania,  Hale  of  Maine,  Hoar  of  Massachusetts,  Jonas  of 
Louisiana,  Jones  of  Florida,  Logan  of  Illinois,  Pugh  of 
Alabama,  and  Vest  of  Missouri ;  Representatives  Aldrich 
of  Rhode  Island,  Rice  of  Massachusetts,  and  Thomas  of 
Illinois;  Sergeant-at-Arms  of  the  Senate,  Richard  J. 
Bright,  Assistant  Sergeants-at-Arms  and  Door-keepers, 
Isaac  Bassett  and  James  I.  Christie. 

The  remains,  as  they  were  borne  out  from  the  City  Hall, 
were  received  with  militarv  honors.  Then  the  short, 
sharp  words  of  command  were  heard,  as  the  column  was 
formed,  and  then  moved  forward  at  the  order  "  March  !" 
Minute-guns  were  fired  ;  the  bands  played  funeral  marches, 
sounding  in  the  distance  like  a  low  wail  and  then  burst 
ing  upon  the  ear  writh  heavy  notes  of  sadness,  mingled 
with  bursts  of  hope  ;  and  a  requiem  of  passing-bells  added 
solemnity  to  the  scene. 

The  procession  was  headed  by  Adjt.-Gen.  C.  H.  Bar 
ney,  with  a  full  suite  of  aides-de-camp.  Then  came  the 
active  militia  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  commanded  by 
Brig.-Gen.  E.  H.  Rhodes.  The  Grand  Army  of  the  Re 
public  followed,  under  the  command  of  Brig.-Gen.  W.  H. 
P.  Steere,  escorting  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  order, 
Maj.  George  S.  Merrill,  and  staff',  and  the  military  order  of 
the  Loyal  Legion.  Last  in  the  column  ware  the  veteran 
associations,  Brig.-Gen.' Nelson  Viall  commanding.  This 
escort  presented  an  imposing  appearance,  the  infantry 
marching  with  reversed  arms,  and  the  veterans  moving 
with  the  swinging  step  of  old  campaigners. 


400  LIFE   AXD    PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

Hon.  Le  B.  B.  Colt,  the  Rev.  E.  G.  Robinson,  D.  D., 
Hon.  George  II.  Browne,  Hon.  Charles  S.  Bradley,  Hon. 
L.  W.  Ballon,  Col.  George  R.  Fearing,  and  Ma]'. -Gen.  J. 
G.  Parke,  U.  S.  A.  They  were  followed  by  the  Congres 
sional  Committee,  composed  of  Senators  Anthony  of  Rhode 
Island.  Blair  of  New  Hampshire.  Cameron  of  Pennsyl 
vania.  Hale  of  Maine,  Hoar  of  Massachusetts,  Jonas  of 
Louisiana,  Jones  of  Florida,  Logan  of  Illinois,  Pugh  of 
Alabama,  and  Vest  of  Missouri ;  Representatives  Aldrich 
of  Rhode  Island,  Rice  of  Massachusetts,  and  Thomas  of 
Illinois:  Sergeant-at-Arms  of  the  Senate,  Richard  J. 
Bright,  Assistant  Sergeants-at-Arms  and  Door-keepers, 
Isaac  Bassett  and  James  I.  Christie. 

The  remains,  as  they  were  borne  out  from  the  City  Hall, 
were  received  with  military  honors.  Then  the  short, 
sharp  words  of  command  were  heard,  as  the  column  was 
formed,  and  then  moved  forward  at  the  order  "  March  !" 
Minute-guns  were  fired  ;  the  bands  played  funeral  marches, 
sounding  in  the  distance  like  a  low  wail  and  then  burst 
ing  upon  the  ear  with  heavy  notes  of  sadness,  mingled 
with  bursts  of  hope  ;  and  a  requiem  of  passing-bells  added 
solemnity  to  the  scene. 

The  procession  was  headed  by  Adjt.-Gen.  C.  H.  Bar 
ney,  with  a  full  suite  of  aides-de-camp.  Then  came  the 
active  militia  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  commanded  by 
Brig.-Gen.  E.  H.  Rhodes.  The  Grand  Army  of  the  Re 
public  followed,  under  the  command  of  Brig.-Gen.  W.  H. 
P.  Steere,  escorting  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  order, 
Maj.  George  S.  Merrill,  and  staff',  and  the  military  order  of 
the  Loyal  Legion.  Last  in  the  column  were  the  veteran 
associations,  Brig.-Gen.' Nelson  Viall  commanding.  This 
escort  presented  an  imposing  appearance,  the  infantry 
marching  with  reversed  arms,  and  the  veterans  moving 
with  the  swinging  step  of  old  campaigners. 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

As  the  procession  slowly  moved  through  the  streets,  to 
the  music  of  bands,  and  with  muffled  drums  beating  "fun 
eral  marches  to  the  grave,"  it  presented  a  most  impressive 
spectacle.  Many  houses  and  stores  were  decorated  with 
sombre  emblems,  but  the  presence  of  the  countless  multi 
tude  at  the  doors  and  windows,  and  ranged  on  the  side 
walks,  was  more  solemn  and  impressive  than  the  most 
extravagant  decoration.  Senator  Jones,  of  Florida,  who 
was  one  of  the  Congressional  Committee,  was  deeply  im 
pressed  by  the  scene.  "  Never,"  said  he,  "  shall  I  forget 
the  impression  made  upon  my  mind  the  day  I  followed  his 
remains  to  the  grave.  It  seemed  that  every  inhabitant, 
high  and  low,  of  that  State  he  loved  and  served  so  well, 
thronged  the  public  highways  to  pay  homage  to  his  mem 
ory  and  manifest  their  grief.  The  aspect  of  mourning  was 
neither  stately,  cold,  nor  formal.  In  each  face  could  be 
seen  the  sure  indications  of  genuine  sorrow,  and  such  was 
the  estimate  in  which  he  was  held  that  thousands  who  had 
never  seen  him  while  living,  lamented  his  departure  as 
that  of  a  father  or  bosom  friend.  Great,  indeed,  must  that 
man  be,  who,  when  elevated  above  his  fellow-men,  and 
known  only  to  them  through  his  public  conduct,  impresses 
the  public  heart  with  nothing  but  sentiments  of  the  warm 
est  love  and  devotion." 

Meanwhile  the  First  Congregational  Church,  at  which 
the  general  worshiped,  was  filled  with  ladies  and  gentlemen, 
seats  having  been  reserved  for  those  who  were  going  in 
the  procession.  The  galleries  reserved  for  the  ladies  were 
filled  an  hour  before  the  services  were  commenced.  The 
pulpit  was  simply  and  tastefully  draped  with  emblems  of 
mourning,  and  General  Burnside's  pew,  No.  116,  was  cov 
ered  with  black  cloth,  and  held  vacant.  The  casket  was 
brought  into  the  church  about  ten  minutes  before  one 


402 


LIFE   AXD   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


o'clock,  accompanied  by  the  general  committee,  the  Con 
gressional  committee,  and  the  guard  of  honor.  It  was 
preceded  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Slicer,  pastor  of  the  church, 
the  Rev.  Carlton  Staples,  and  the  Rev.  Augustus  Wood- 
bury.  As  the  solemn  procession  moved  through  the  aisle, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Slicer  read  the  opening  sentence  of  the 
King's  Chapel  burial-service,  and  the  organist  gently 
played  the  "  Dead  March  in  Saul."  At  the  head  of  the 
aisle  the  casket  was  placed  upon  standards,  and  the 
accompanying  committees  and  the  guard  of  honor  took 
seats  in  the  pews  assigned  to  them.  On  the  casket  was 
the  flag  of  the  Union,  surmounted  by  crossed  swords. 

The  choir  chanted  in  low  tones  "  The  Angels  of  Grief," 
a  hymn  by  Johri  G.  Whittier,  which  was  followed  by  the 
reading  of  selections  from  the  Scriptures,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Staples.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Woodbury  then  announced  the 
hymn  beginning 

"  Forever  \vith  the  Lord, 
Amen  ;  so  let  it  be," 

which  was  sung  to  a  familiar  tune,  the  congregation  join 
ing  the  choir  in  the  singing. 

The  funeral  oration,  which  was  delivered  by  the  Rev. 
Augustus  Woodbury,  followed.  Mr.  Woodbury  (who  had 
served  on  the  staff  of  General  Burnside  as  chaplain  early 
in  the  war.  who  was  the  historiographer  of  the  Ninth 
Army  Corps,  and  who  was  a  beloved  friend  of  the  de 
ceased)  spoke  with  deep  feeling.  When  he  referred  to 
the  social  virtues  of  the  fallen  leader  in  eloquent  words, 
many  in  that  distinguished  audience  were  visibly  affected, 
as  the  characteristics  of  their  noble-hearted  friend  were 
vividly  brought  before  them.  The  address  was  as  follows  : 

It  is  natural  that  we  should  sometimes  be  very  painfully  troubled  by 
the  fact  that  the  most  beautiful  and  most  promising,  the  wisest  and 


GEJ\T.  A^fHROSE  E.  IWRNSIDE. 


403 

the  best,  the  bravest  and  most  useful  lives  are  cut  short  by  the  power  of 
death,  at  the  very  moment  when  it  appears  to  us  they  are  proving  them 
selves  to  be  most  effective.  Their  promise  seems'doomed  to  utter  disap 
pointment.  Their  beauty  fades  awav.  Their  force  is  vainly  spent. 
More  than  once  has  the  sorrowful  fact  in  human  experience  come  home 
to  our  community  in  a  verv  grievous  way,  and  we  have  been  called  upon 
to  mourn  the  death  of  those  whose  departure  from  among  us  has  left  a 
void  which  we  know  not  how  to  fill.  Our  hearts  have  ached  with  the  sense 
of  our  unsolaced  bereavement.  Our  spirits  have  been  depressed  beneath 
the  heavy  burden  of  our  woe.  As  the  gloom  has  settled  down  upon  us  — 
darkening  even  the  brightest  dav  —  we  have  vainly  sought  our  consola 
tion  in  human  philosophv.  We  have  turned  for  comfort  to  the  truth  of 
that  divine  religion  which  assures  us  that  no  good  or  worthy  life,  how 
ever  incomplete  it  may  appear  to  human  judgment,  can  ever  be  lost,  or 
fail  in  its  fruitful  work  for  human  good.  In  the  long  seasons  of  Divine 
Providence  no  such  life  can  be  incomplete.  It  is  complemented  in  the 
better  and  nobler  life  of  the  humanity  it  has  helped  to  elevate  and  bless. 
It  is  complemented  in  the  immortality  to  which  it  has  attained  —  not  to 
spend  an  eternity  of  selfish  enjoyment,  but  in  the  bliss  of  ever-enlarging 
powers  for  good,  and  of  ever-increasing  growth  in  the  best  and  holiest  life. 
We  cannot  say  that  anv  promise  of  usefulness  and  good  is  ever  allowed 
to  go  unfulfilled.  We  cannot  say  that  any  true  and  earnest  life  fails  of 
its  object.  The  power  of  death  does  not  destroy  the  opportunity.  Shall 
we  not  rather  say  that  it  enlarges  it  in  glorifying  the  memory  of  virtue, 
and  investing  goodness  and  fidelity  to  duty  with  immortal  charms? 
"The  memorial  of  virtue  is  immortal,  because  it  is  known  with  God  and 
with  men.  When  it  is  present,  men  take  example  of  it;  and  when  it  is 
gone  they  desire  it.  Itweareth  a  crown  and  triumpheth  forever,  having 
gotten  the  victory,  striving  for  undefiled  rewards." 

It  is  with  some  such  thoughts  as  these  that  we  have  come  to  this  ser 
vice  of  remembrance  and  love.  Our  dear  friend,  stricken  down  in  the 
prime  of  his  manhood,  has  ended  his  life  on  earth  when  that  life  seemed 
most  needful  to  his  friends  and  to  the  State,  and  in  the  midst  of  a  career 
which  was  every  day  growing  more  honorable  to  himself  and  more  use 
ful  to  his  fellow-citizens.  To  those  who  admired  and  loved  him  —  and 
they  are  to  be  counted  bv  tens  of  thousands  —  his  life  was  very  beautiful 
and  precious.  It  had  in  it  the  most  attractive  qualities  of  a  noble  man 
hood.  Well  known  throughout  the  land,  his  name  was  the  synonym  of 
generosity  and  honor.  A  patriotic  citizen,  a  brave  soldier,  a  remarkably 
successful  chief  magistrate  of  our  State,  a  dignified,  honest,  just,  and  use 
ful  Senator  of  the  Republic,  he  has  adorned  every  station  which  he  has 
filled,  and  found  in  it  not  so  much  the  reward  of  ambition  as  the  oppor 
tunity  for  serving  the  land  he  loved  with  a  passionate  devotion!  That 


4°4 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


opportunity  was  becoming  wider  and  larger  as  the  years  of  his  public 
service  went  on,  and  we  could  safely  predict  of  him.  had  his  life  been 
spared,  a  career  and  influence  in  the  councils  of  the  Nation  second  to 
none. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  repeat  the  story  which  is  already  so  familiar  to 
the  public  mind.  It  suffices  for  us  now  to  recall  a  few  of  the  more  prom 
inent  characteristics  which  that  story  illustrates.  Chief  among  these  was 
an  unswerving  faithfulness  to  duty  for  duty's  sake.  Of  course  he  had  the 
desire  for  appreciation  and  an  honorable  ambition  to  excel.  Every  man 
who  achieves  any  fame  or  success  in  the  world,  or  who  does  any  efficient 
work  among  his  fellow-men,  must  have  some  feeling  of  this  kind.  But 
in  General  Burnside's  case  I  am  sure,  from  the  careful  and  intimite 
knowledge  of  him  which  it  has  been  my  privilege  to  have,  this  feeling 
was  subordinate  to  his  spirit  of  conscientious  fidelity.  The  dtitv  which 
was  revealed  to  him  he  did  to  the  utmost  of  his  ability,  and  with  a  sin 
gle-handedness  which  was  especially  remarkable.  In  his  thought  there 
was  nothing  ulterior,  nothing  of  the  low  desire  for  effect  or  the  selfish 
wish  to  gain  a  personal  profit  for  his  faithfulness.  He  could  waive  his 
rank  in  the  service  without  a  pang,  if  he  thought  the  good  of  the  service 
demanded  it.  lie  could  turn  over  his  command  to  another  without  a  re 
gret,  if  he  deemed  that  that  other  could  exercise  it  better  than  himself 
in  promoting  his  country's  cause.  lie  could  even  consent  to  remain  un 
known  and  allow  others  to  take  the  credit  and  reward  of  his  own  fidelity. 
Free  from  professional  jealousy,  he  could  unite  in  praising  even  those 
who  reaped  the  fruits  of  his  own  unselfish  labors.  i-  Why  do  you  not 
claim  what  is  your  own?"  his  friends  would  sometimes  impatiently  ask. 
"  I  have  simply  to  do  my  duty,"  was  his  reply.  "  I  can  safely  leave  any 
claim  that  I  have  to  the  judgment  of  future  years  and  the  justice  of  my 
fellow-countrymen." 

To  this  sense  of  public  duty  was  joined  the  sense  of  personal  responsi 
bility.  They  are  not  always  found  together  in  official  life.  Public  station 
is  too  often  sought  for  the  honors  and  emoluments  which  it  offers,  and 
when  once  gained,  the  sense  of  responsibility  does  not  seem  to  have  much 
weight.  But  if  I  read  the  character  of  our  friend  aright,  public  station 
became  to  him  more  a  solemn  trust  to  be  discharged  as  best  it  could,  than 
an  honor  to  be  enjoyed.  This  sense  of  responsibility  was  marked  in  his 
care  for  his  men  when  in  command  of  the  First  Regiment,  in  those  early 
days  when  we  were  learning  the  first  rudiments  of  war.  The  regiment 
was  required  to  do  everything  which  it  had  to  do,  and  was  not  spared  in 
the  hour  of  extremity.  But  in  all  the  details  of  its  life,  in  camp  and  field, 
its  colonel  was  very  particular  in  his  personal  supervision  and  knowledge 
of  every  officer  and  man.  "-How  does  the  First  Rhode  Island  succeed  in 
getting  transportation,  food  and  shelter  so  easily?"  was  sometimes  asked 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 


4°5 


by  members  of  other  regiments  who  were  left  on  the  road  without  forage, 
rations  and  tents.  The  reply  at  the  department  headquarters  was  :  "  Be 
cause  the  First  Rhode  Island  has  a  colonel  who  knows  how  to  take 
care  of  his  men."  It  was  so  everywhere.  This  sense  of  personal  respon 
sibility  was  very  strong  in  his  leadership  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  in  his  com 
mand  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  in  his  office  of  governor  of  the  State, 
in  his  chair  as  a  Senator  in  Congress.  Whether  it  was  in  the  obtainment 
of  a  pension  for  the  poor  widowed  mother  of  a  deceased  spldier,  or  in  the 
furtherance  of  great  public  measures,  it  was  to  him  a  personal  matter, 
demanding  a  conscientious  and  faithful  attention.  With  a  persistence 
which  was' always  commendable,  and  a  painstaking  fidelity  which  bade 
•defiance  to  personal  loss,  he  pushed  forward  his  plan  of  operations,  or  his 
measures  for  the  public  welfare,  until  the  end  was  reached.  He  could 
never  rest  until  his  work  was  done. 

An  added  charm  was  given  to  this  faithfulness  to  duty  bv  a  rare  and 
generous  magnanimity.  How  very  marked  and  conspicuous  this  feature 
of  his  character  was,  all  men  knew.  In  all  his  conduct  there  was  an  abso 
lute  absence  of  pettiness  of  thought  or  action.  He  did  not  know  the 
meaning  of  intrigue,  and  he  could  never  be  made  to  believe  that  there 
was  any  double-dealing  in  any  man's  deed  or  word.  This  over-confidence 
in  others  made  him  liable  to  be  deceived,  and  he  doubtless  sometimes 
suffered  both  pecuniarily  and  in  good  repute,  but  no  amount  of  such  suffer 
ing  and  loss  ever  caused  him  to  lose  his  faith  in  human  nature  or  his  trust  in 
those  around  him.  Believing  that  others  understood  his  plans  as  clearly 
as  he  did  himself,  he  sometimes  took  too  much  for  granted.  But  rather 
than  look  upon  others  with  distrust,  he  would  bear  with  a  generous 
patience  whatever  failure  they  may  have  brought  upon  him.  All  this  was 
an  amiable  trait  of  character.  In  the  language  of  the  world  it  might  be 
called  by  some  a  sign  of  weakness,  but  out  of  such  generosity  and  faith 
in  mankind  are  born  some  of  the  finest  and  best  qualities  of  manhood, 
and  our  friend,  without  them,  would  never  have  attracted  the  admiration 
and  love  which  he  secured. 

Were  this  the  proper  time  and  place,  I  could  give  instances  of  this 
magnanimity  bv  the  score.  Those  who  knew  him  well  can  recall  them 
now  without  my  aid,  but  I  may  be  permitted  to  pause  a  moment  upon 
one  of  these  which,  perhaps  more  than  all,  won  for  him  the  grateful 
svmpathv  of  his  countrymen  after  the  disastrous  issue  of  the  battle  of 
Fredericksburg. 

There  were  manv — whether  rightly  or  wrongly  I  do  not  now  say  — 
who  attributed  that  failure  to  other  causes  than  the  want  of  skill  on  the 
part  of  the  commanding  general.     Some  blamed   the  administration  for 
wishing    to    hurrv    on    an    engagement    with    an    enemy    most    strongly 
posted.      Others  censured  what  they  thought  a  lack  of  vigorous  coopera- 


406  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

tion  on  the  part  of  subordinate  officers.  Not  so  Burnside.  "  For  the  fail 
ure  of  the  attack,"  he  says  in  his  report,  "  I  am  responsible,  as  the  ex 
treme  gallantry,  courage,  and  endurance  shown  by  my  officers  and  men 
was  never  exceeded." 

In  commending  his  successor,  he  said  to  the  President,  "  Neither  you 
nor  General  Hooker  will  be  a  happier  man  than  myself  if  he  shall  gain  a 
victory  on  the  Rappahannock."  And  in  his  order  transferring  his  com 
mand  to  that  distinguished  officer,  he  wrote,  "  Give  to  the  brave  and  skill 
ful  general  who  has  so  long  been  identified  with  your  organization,  and 
who  is  now  to  command  you.  your  full  and  cordial  support  and  coopera 
tion,  and  you  will  deserve  success."  The  words  came  directly  and  sin 
cerely  from  his  great  and  generous  heart. 

This  high  characteristic  at  once  secured  for  him  the  cordial  esteem  of 
his  associates  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.  It  was  a  new  and  un 
tried  scene  of  public  duty,  and  the  early  davs  of  his  service  were  sadlv 
clouded  over  by  the  severest  domestic  affliction  and  his  own  serious  sick 
ness. 

It  was  natural  that  he  should  enter  the  Senate  with  diffidence.  Not 
only  the  traditions  of  that  bodv,  but  its  own  character  have  made  it  the 
finest  legislative  council  in  the  world.  If  Burnside  could  not  carry  to  it 
a  surpassing  intellectual  power  and  a  long  legislative  experience,  he  could 
carry  to  it  the  truest  patriotism  and  the  sincerest  devotion  to  the  public 
weal.  lie  was  content  to  learn  of  others.  He  was  frank  to  acknowledge 
an  error  of  judgment. 

He  refused  to  take  an  unworthv  advantage  of  an  opponent.  He  was 
the  manliest  of  men,  in  debate  or  in  a  political  contest.  When  an  ac 
customed  service  gave  him  increased  confidence,  he  introduced  and  ad 
vanced  measures  of  prime  importance,  and  took  part  in  the  leading  de 
bates  of  the  body. 

The  cause  of  national  education  received  his  warm  support,  and  to  all 
measures  tending  to  improve  the  militarv  department  and  service,  and  to 
those  for  the  relief  of  widows  and  orphans  of  our  dead  soldiers,  he 
brought  an  intelligent  understanding  and  the  interest  of  a  comrade. 

The  State  of  Rhode  Island  may  be  considered  fortunate,  indeed,  if  she 
shall,  in  vears  to  come,  find  so  faithful,  just,  manly,  and  patriotic  a 
representative. 

How  warm  and  constant  in  friendship  was  this  great  heart  that  has 
now  ceased  to  beat.  It  never  harbored  an  ungenerous  feeling.  It  never 
felt  that  it  had  an  injury  to  forgive.  There  were  a  thousand  acts  of  kind 
ness  of  which  it  was  the  source.  Thoughtful  and  considerate  of  others 
to  the  last  degree,  there  was  not  a  man  or  woman  who  rendered  him  ser 
vice  or  who  ministered  to  his  wants,  or  a  guest  that  enjoyed  his  affluent 
hospitality,  but  had  occasion  to  be  grateful  for  the  friendship  which 


AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 


407 


Burnside  offered  him.  That  friendship  embraced  all  ranks,  from  the 
highest  in  the  land  to  the  lowest.  It  reached  across  the  sea  and  touched 
the  hearts  of  men  and  nations  whose  differences  he  attempted  to  compose. 
It  followed  those  whom  he  loved  to  distant  lands,  and  placed  them  under 
renewed  obligations  for  his  considerate  kindness.  I  dare  not  trust  my 
self  to  say  what  it  was  to  those  who  were  nearest  to  him  ;  nor  can  I  speak 
of  the  love  that  survived  death  and  went  out  with  inarticulate  longings 
to  the  life  beyond  the  grave  —  longings  that  are  now  satisfied  forever. 
That  friendship  and  that  love  had  their  root  in  the  exceeding  truthful 
ness  of  spirit  which  lay  at  the  heart  of  our  friend's  character.  Clear  and 
guileless  as  was  his  nature,  he  had  no  room  for  any  but  the  best  and 
truest  impulses,  and  constancy  and  steadfastness  became  thus  the  habit  of 
his  soul. 

It  was  as  though  he  heard  the  voice  : 

"  To  thine  own  self  be  true, 
And  it  must  follow  as  the  ni^lit  the  day 
Thou  canst  not  then  be  false  to  any  man." 

There  was  withal,  in  General  Burnside's  character,  a  deep  religious  ele 
ment.  It  may  not  have  often  come  to  the  surface,  certainly  not  in  any 
ostentatious  way.  but  it  lay  within  him,  his  safeguard  from  many  an  ill, 
his  encouragement  in  many  a  difficult  dutv,  and  his  support  in  many  a 
sore  and  trying  experience. 

It  was  my  privilege  to  see  somewhat  of  this  innermost  life  of  his, 
whether  more  than  others  or  not,  I  do  not  now  say,  but  we  have  had  in 
former  days  many  a  conversation  while  in  camp,  beneath  the  light  of  the 
stars  and  in  the  early  dawn,  on  very  high  themes,  and  I  was  instructed 
and  helped  by  the  clearness  of  his  thought  and  the  purity  of  his  spirit. 
Many  a  time  has  he  kneeled  in  prayer  beside  me  in  our  quarters  before 
entering  to  rest  at  night,  and  in  later  years,  I  doubt  not  there  have  been 
hours  of  secret,  silent  devotion,  when  he  humbly  and  sincerely  sought  the 
help  of  God. 

In  a  letter  which  he  wrote  to  me,  on  assuming  command  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  I  find  these  words:  "You  know  how  much  I  feel  any 
responsibility  placed  upon  me,  and  can  readily  imagine  how  much  of  my 
time  is  occupied  with  this  enormous  command.  You  will  remember  that 
when  I  was  with  vou  in  the  field,  with  a  comparatively  small  command,  I 
felt  that  I  could  do  nothing  of  myself,  and  I  then  felt  more  than  ever  in 
my  life  the  need  of  entire  reliance  upon  an  all-wise  Creator.  But  now, 
the  responsibility  is  so  great  that  at  times  I  tremble  at  the  thought  of 
assuming  that  I  am  able  to  exercise  so  large  a  command.  Yet  when  I 
think  that  I  have  made  no  such  assumption;  that  I  have  shunned  the 
responsibility,  and  only  accepted  it  when  I  was  ordered  to  do  it,  and  when 
it  would  have  been  disloyal  and  unfriendly  to  our  government  not  to  do 


408 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


it,  then  I  take  courage,  and  approach  our  Heavenly  Father  with  freedom 
and  trustfulness,  confident  that  if  I  can  act  honestly  and  industriously, 
constantly  asking  His  protection  and  assistance,  all  will  be  well,  no 
matter  how  dark  everything  now  seems  to  me." 

We  can  safely  leave  him  with  that  Father  whom  he  trusted,  and  be  as 
sured  that  all  is  well  with  him  forever. 

So  we  bid  farewell  to  our  brother,  counselor,  friend. 

The  soldier's  battles  are  over.  The  strifes  of  the  forum  are  hushed. 
The  labors  and  car^s  of  life  are  ended.  The  lonely  heart  has  found  its 
home,  its  rest,  its  peace. 

At  the  close  of  the  eulogy,  prayer  was  offered  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Slicer,  and  this  was  followed  by  the  singing  of 
the  beautiful  hymn,  "  Beyond  the  smiling  and  the  weep 
ing."  The  benediction  was  then  pronounced  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Slicer,  and  the  remains  were  borne  from  the -church, 
the  congregation  remaining  in  the  pews  until  the  casket, 
and  those  who  were  to  join  the  procession  to  the  grave, 
had  passed  along  into  the  church-yard. 

A  long  array  of  carriages  conveyed  many  of  those  who 
had  attended  the  services  in  the  church  to  the  grave.  In 
the  first  one  was  His  Excellency  A.  H.  Littlefield,  gov 
ernor  of  Rhode  Island,  as  chief  mourner,  and  in  others 
were  the  members  of  the  family  of  the  deceased,  the  state 
judiciary,  the  state  and  county  officials,  the  members  of  the 
General  Assembly,  the  city  government  of  Providence, 
representatives  of  the  Providence  Board  of  Trade,  the  Fac 
ulty  of  Brown  University,  the  officers  of  the  Rhode  Island 
Historical  Society,  the  officers  of  the  Providence  Associa 
tion  of  Mechanics  and  Manufacturers,  and  a  large  number 
of  distinguished  gentlemen. 

The  procession  resumed  its  march  at  half-past  two 
o'clock,  passing  up  Benefit  Street  to  Olney  Street,  and  up 
Olney  Street  to  Swan  Point  Cemetery.  As  the  column 
moved  slowly  along,  escorted  by  the  stalwart  veterans  with 
steady  tramp,  a  mournful  but  significant  silence  prevailed, 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNS  IDE.  409 

and  the  most  affectionate  and  sympathetic  regret  was  very 
manifest  on  every  hand.  The  discharge  of  minute-guns, 
the  solemn  tolling  of  bells,  the  wailing  notes  of  the  bands, 
and  the  rattle  of  muffled  drums  were  echoed  in  the  bruised 
hearts  of  the  people  of  Rhode  Island.  All  along  the 
route  to  the  cemetery  people  were  gathered  together  on  the 
stone  walls,  and  on  the  lawns  in  front  of  private  residences, 
while  pastures  and  side-lanes  were  filled  with  vehicles  of 
every  description. 

It  was  nearly  four  o'clock  when  the  head  of  the  column 
entered  Swan  Point  Cemetery.  On  arriving  at  the  grave, 
the  escort  halted  and  wheeled  into  line  on  one  side  of  the 
pathway,  while  the  Grand  Army  coming  up,  wheeled  into 
line  on  the  other  side,  forming  living  walls.  The  ranks  of 
each  body  were  opened,  the  colors  were  drooped,  and  as 
the  hearse,  with  its  precious  freight,  came  into  this  "  path 
of  glory"  leading  "to  the  grave,"  between  the  serried 
ranks,  the  word  of  command  was  given — "  Present  arms  !" 
It  was  the  last  word  of  command,  ordering  the  last  salute 
to  the  deceased  commander.  The  bands  played  their  last 
notes  of  respect,  and  the  drums  beat  their  last  tribute.  No 
more  martial  strains  for  him,  until  the  last  trumpet  shall 
sound. 

Governor  Littlefield,  the  mourners,  the  clergy,  and  the 
Loyal  Legion  followed  the  remains  to  the  grave,  which 
was  tastefully  decorated.  The  American  Band  performed 
"Peace,  troubled  soul."  The  Rev.  Augustus  Woodbury, 
standing  by  the  grave-side,  then  read  the  impressive 
King's  Chapel  burial-service,  followed  by  an  eloquent  and 
touching  prayer.  Then,  at  quarter-past  five  o'clock,  just 
as  the  sun  began  to  sink  towards  the  western  horizon,  all 
that  was  mortal  of  Ambrose  E.  Burnside  was  lowered  to 
its  last  resting-place  by  the  faithful  hands  of  his  war-worn 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE. 

veterans,  while  many  were  endeavoring,  with  eyes  blinded 
with  tears,  to  pierce  the  dark  chasm  into  which  had 
descended  that  loved  and  honored  form,  there  to  rest 
in  peace.  A  benediction  was  pronounced  by  the  Rev. 
George  L.  Locke,  of  Bristol.  The  American  Band  played 
"  Nearer,  my  God,  to  Thee,"  and  a  farewell  artillery 
salute  was  fired  from  the  guns  of  Battery  A.  This  closed 
the  sad  rites,  and  the  military  and  citizens  slowly  dis 
persed,  leaving  behind  them  their  beloved  Senator  — 
General  —  friend. 

His  triumphs  are  o'er  —  he's  gone  to  his  rest  — 
To  the  throne  of  his  Maker,  the  home  of  the  blest. 
The  hero,  the  statesman, —  his  journey  is  done. 
All  his  cares  now  are  over,  his  last  battle  won  : 
Now  sweetlv  he  rests  from  his  sorrows  and  fears, 
And  leaves  a  proud  nation  in  sadness  and  tears. 


CHAPTER  XL 


ANNOUNCEMENT  OK  GENERAL  HUKNSIDE'S  DEATH  IN  THE  UNITED 
STATES  SENATE  — FORMAL  PRESENTATION  OF  RESOLUTIONS  — 
EULOGY  BY  SENATOR  ANTHONY,  OF  RHODE  ISLAND. 

^  ¥  M~[E  announcement  that  funereal  honors  were  to  be 
paid  to  the  deceased  Senator  from  Rhode  Island, 

JL  on  Monday,  the  23d  of  January,  1882,  attracted 
crowds  to  the  galleries  of  the  United  States  Senate  Cham 
ber,  with  a  number  of  distinguished  persons  entitled  to 
admission  on  the  floor.  On  the  desk  which  the  deceased 
Senator  had  occupied  was  a  beautiful  floral  tribute,  and 
his  curule  chair  was  draped  in  mourning. 

No  business  was  transacted,  and  after  the  reading  of  the 
usual  resolutions,  eloquent  addresses  were  successively 
delivered  by  Senators  Anthony  of  Rhode  Island,  Hampton 
of  South  Carolina,  Edmunds  of  Vermont,  Maxey  of 
Texas,  Harrison  of  Indiana,  Ransom  of  North  Carolina, 
Hawley  of  Connecticut,  Jones  of  Florida,  Hale  of  Maine, 
and  (the  successor  of  the  deceased)  Aldrich  of  Rhode 
Island.  Copious  extracts  from  several  of  these  eulogies 
have  already  been  given  in  this  work. 

After  the   reading  of  the  journal,   Mr.   Anthony  asked 


A  12  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

permission  to   present   a  series   of  resolutions,    which   he 
offered,  and  which  were  read  : 

Resolved,  That  from  an  earnest  desire  to  show  every  mark  of  respect 
to  the  memory  of  Hon.  Ambrose  E.  Burnside,  late  a  Senator  of  the 
United  States  from  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  and  to  manifest  the  high 
estimate  entertained  of  his  eminent  public  services  and  his  distinguished 
patriotism,  the  business  of  the  Senate  be  now  suspended,  that  his  friends 
and  associates  mav  pay  fitting  tribute  to  his  public  and  private  virtues. 

Resolved,  That  a  widespread  and  public  sorrow  on  the  announcement 
of  his  death  attested  the  profound  sense  of  the  loss  which  the  whole 
countrv  has  sustained. 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  Senate  communicate  these  resolu 
tions  to  the  House  of  Representatives. 

Resolved,  That  as  an  additional  mark  of  respect  for  the  memory  of  the 
Senator,  the  Senate  do  now  adjourn. 

Mr.  Anthony  then  eloquently,  and  with  deep  feeling, 
paid  the  following  tribute  to  the  memory  of  his  departed 
colleague.  For  upwards  of  twenty  years  a  Senator  from 
Rhode  Island,  and  during  the  past  seven  years  the  col 
league  and  friend  of  General  Burnside,  he  could  speak 
from  a  personal  knowledge  of  many  events  in  the  career 
of  the  illustrious  deceased.  He  said,  impressively  : 

"  No  bugle  must  sound, 
Ye  bright  waving-  banners,  stoop  low! 
Let  your  lances  with  cypress  be  bound, 
I-et  the  drums  be  all  silent  in  woe." 

Mr.  President:  I  have  risen  to  perform  the  very  saddest  office  that  has 
fallen  to  me,  in  all  my  public  service. 

The  sudden  death  of  General  Burnside,  in  the  full  vigor  and  strength 
of  his  manhood,  sent,  through  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  a  shock  that 
was  echoed  back,  in  messages  of  sympathy  and  condolence,  from  every 
part  of  the  country  and  from  foreign  lands.  The  Nation,  which  was 
watching,  in  alternate  hope  and  fear,  the  ebbing  life  of  its  elected  chief, 
turned  for  a  moment  from  the  bedside  of  the  dying  Garfield,  to  lament 
fhe  dead  Burnside.  In  this  body,  the  death  of  no  one  among  us  could 
have  moved  the  Senate  to  a  profounder  sense  of  sorrow.  His  bier  has 
been  moistened  by  the  tears  of  a  state;  his  tomb  is  garlanded  by  the 
admiration  of  a  Nation. 


<;EN.  AMBROSE  E.  BURNSIDE. 


4*3 


It  is  not  my  purpose  to  enter  upon  a  sketch  of  the  life  of  General  Burn- 
side;  scarcely  even  of  his  character.  The  most  important  part  of  that 
life  was  passed  in  the  service  of  his  country,  and  his  deeds  are  a  part  of 
his  country's  history;  and  so  long  as  Newbern  and  Roanoke  Island,  and 


HON.    HENRY    H.    ANTHONY, 

[  General  Burnside's  Colleague  in  the  Senate,} 

South  Mountain,  and  Antietam,  and  Knoxville  are   remembered,  his  ser 
vices  and  his  fame  will  not  be  forgotten. 

General  Burnside  was  born  at  Liberty,  Union  County.  Indiana,  May 
23,  1824.  His  family  \vas_of  Scotch  descent.  His  great-grandfather, 
Robert  Burnside,  with  two  brothers,  had  espoused  the  cause  of  Charles 
Edward,  and  after  the  triumph  of  the  British  arms,  and  the  overthrow  of 
the  Pretender,  at  Culloden,  sought  an  asylum  in  South  Carolina.  The 
general's  grandfather,  James  Burnside,  married  a  daughter  of  James  Edg- 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

hill,  an  Englishman,  by  birth.  His  son,  the  father  of  the  general,  bore 
his  mother's  paternal  name,  Edghill  Burnside.  He  was  born  in  South 
Carolina,  but  removed  to  the  Territory  of  Indiana.  He  appears  to  have 
sympathized  with  the  conscientious  repugnance  to  slavery,  which,  even 
at  that  early  day,  had  been  aroused  in  the  Carolinas,  for  he  freed  his 
slaves,  and  accompanied  the  "  Quaker  Emigration"  to  the  West,  which 
was  dedicated  to  freedom,  by  the  ordinance  of  1787.  In  his  new  home, 
he  maintained  a  character  of  high  respectability  and  influence  ;  was  for 
a  long  time  clerk  of  the  county  court,  an  associate  justice  of  the  same, 
and  a  senator  in  the  Legislature  of  the  State.  Ambrose  was  his  youngest 
son.  He  gave  him  a  good  English  education  in  the  schools  of  the 
neighborhood;  and  in  1843  he  entered,  as  a  cadet,  at  West  Point.  At 
the  academy,  he  was  not  a  hard  student.  With  exuberant  animal  spirits, 
of  vigorous  bodily  strength,  he  became  expert  in  military  and  athletic 
exercises,  while  his  aptitude  in  mathematics,  then,  as  now,  ranking  high 
in  the  curriculum  of  studies,  compensated  for  his  deficiency  of  literary 
application,  and  gave  him  an  excellent  average  standing;  and  he  gradu 
ated  eighteen  in  a  class  of  thirty-eight. 

Among  his  classmates  and  fellow-students  were  many  who  subsequently 
rose  to  distinction,  on  one  side  or  the  other,  in  the  late  unhappy  war. 
Of  his  own  class  were  Generals  Willcox,  Fry,  Gibson,  Long,  Griffin, 
Viele,  and  Hunt  on  the  Union  side,  and  A.  P.  Hill  and  Heth  on  the  other. 
This  class  furnished  twenty-eight  officers  who  adhered  to  the  flag,  and 
four  who  took  up  arms  against  it.  Six  had  previously  died  or  resigned, 
Among  his  fellow-students  were  Generals  McClellan,  Hancock,  Pleasan- 
ton,  Fitz  Joh'n  Porter,  Gilmore,  Parke,  Reno,  Foster,  William  F.  Smith, 
C.  P.  Stone,  Hatch.  Sackett,  Granger,  Stoneman,  Russell,  Pitcher,  Gibbs, 
Gordon,  Michler,  Duane,  Tidball,  Benet,  Bond,  McKeever,  and  Buford, 
who  supported  the  Union,  and  Jackson  (Stonewall),  Maxey  (Senator), 
Buckner,  Rhett,  E.  K.  Smith,  Bee.  W.  D.  Smith,  D.  R.Jones,  Willcox, 
Pickett,  Ben  Robinson,  T.  A.  Washington,  Thomas  K.  Jackson,  G.  H. 
Steuart,  and  Withers,  who  opposed  it.  Immediately  upon  his  graduation, 
Burnside  joined  the  army,  and  was  sent  to  Mexico,  with  which  the  United 
States  were  at  war.  Active  negotiations  for  peace  had  commenced  be 
fore  he  reached  the  seat  of  war,  in  which  he  took  no  part,  except  to  es 
cort  a  baggage-train  from  Vera  Cruz  to  the  capital  city,  through  a  hostile 
country,  filled  with  guerillas,  a  service  which  he  performed  with  such 
skill  and  discretion,  as  gave  promise  of  future  distinction,  and  received 
the  commendation  of  his  superiors.  After  that,  as  first  lieutenant  in 
Bragg's  Battery,  organized  as  cavalry,  he  was  employed  in  the  difficult 
and  perilous  duty  of  escorting  the  mails  across  the  plains  infested  by  hos 
tile  savages. 

In  1853,  having  invented  a  breech-loading  rifle,  which,  although  since 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 

superseded  by  later  inventions,  was  a  great  improvement  over  any  then 
in  use,  he  resigned  his  commission,  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
this  new  weapon,  at  Bristol.  The  enterprise  proved  unfortunate.  He 
failed  to  secure  a  contract  with  the  government,  not  from  the  lack  of  merit 
in  the  invention,  but  from  his  indignant  refusal  to  employ  the  interven 
tion  of  a  lobbyist,  or  middle  man,  who  enjoyed  the  favor  of  the  War  De 
partment.  Leaving  Bristol,  for  which  he  always  retained  the  strongest 
attachment,  and  where  he  afterwards  returned  and  set  up  his  household 
gods,  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company, 
of  which  his  friend  and  fellow-student,  General  McClellan,  was  vice-pres 
ident,  and  where  he  soon  rose  to  the  important  position  of  treasurer. 

At  this  time,  General  Burnside  was  a  Democrat  in  his  politics.  He 
had  run  as  the  Democratic  candidate  for  Congress,  in  his  district,  in 
Rhode  Island.  During  the  agitation  that  preceded  the  outbreak  of  the 
Rebellion  he  strongly  urged  the  restoration  of  harmony  and  the  preserva 
tion  of  the  Union  by  peaceful  means,  to  avoid  the  conflict  of  arms. 

To  this  end  he  was  ready  to  make  important  concessions,  to  allay  the 
southern  discontent.  But  when  the  first  gun  upon  Fort  Sumter  fired 
alike  the  Southern  and  the  Northern  heart,  he  promptly,  and  without  a 
moment's  hesitation,  offered  to  his  country  the  sword  that  she  had  taught 
him  to  use.  He  was  selected  for  the  command  of  the  First  Rhode  Island 
Regiment.  In  reply  to  a  dispatch  from  Governor  Sprague,  inquiring 
how  soon  he  could  leave  for  his  command,  he  answered,  "  at  once" ;  and, 
the  next  morning,  he  was  in  Providence,  busily  engaged  in  organizing 
and  preparing  it.  In  an  incredibly  short  time,  the  regiment  was  raised 
and  equipped;  and  in  two  days  after  the  first  man  was  enlisted,  a  battery 
of  six  rifled  guns,  with  500  men,  was  on  its  way  to  Washington;  and  in 
two  days  more,  the  rest  of  the  regiment  followed.  Notwithstanding  this 
promptness,  such  was  the  vigor  of  the  colonel,  seconded  by  his  subor 
dinate  officers,  and  such  his  valuable  military  experience,  that  the 
regiment  left  fully  armed,  equipped,  and  provisioned;  and  gained  the 
highest  praise  by  its  appearance  of  discipline,  efficiency,  and  soldierly 
bearing.  None  of  the  new  and  hastily  organized  regiments  came  into 
the  service  better  prepared  for  their  duties.  Its  evening  parade  was  a 
favorite  resort  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  who,  accompanied  by  high  dignitaries, 
civil  and  military,  often  came  to  witness  and  to  admire  its  evolutions. 

In  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  which  followed,  Colonel  Burnside  com 
manded  a  brigade,  and  as  was  justly  said,  in  a  memoir  read  before  the 
Loyal  Legion,  by  Col.  William  Goddard,  who  served  under  him,  "  no 
share  in  the  disasters  of  that  conflict  can  be  assigned  to  him  or  to  his 
troops."  In  the  autumn  of  1861,  General  Burnside,  raised  to  the  rank  of 
brigadier-general,  took  command  of  the  "Burnside  Expedition"  to  the 
coast  of  North  Carolina.  The  conception,  the  plan,  and  the  execution 


416 


LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OP" 


of  that  important  enterprise  attest  the  uncommon  military  ability  of  its 
originator  and  leader.  The  secret  of  the  expedition  was  -well  kept, 
kept  even  from  the  penetrating  investigation  of  the  newspapers.  It 
.sailed  in  January,  1862,  the  objective  point  being  known  only  to  the  com 
mander  and  the  few  confidential  officers  whom  it  was  necessary  to  intrust 
with  the  information.  A  violent  storm  struck  the  fleet,  off  Hatteras,  and 
dispersed  the  vessels,  so  that  more  than  a  week  elapsed  before  they 
reached  the  rendezvous.  There,  they  encountered  a  succession  of  gales, 
which  threatened  them  with  destruction.  The  ships,  crowded  into  a  nar 
row  space,  with  insufficient  holding  ground,  beaten  about  by  the  winds 
and  waves,  entangling  their  hawsers,  running  foul  of  each  other,  and 
filled  to  overflowing  with  discouraged  and  sea-sick  men,  the  expedition 
seemed  to  be  predestined  to  failure,  by  force  of  the  elements,  without  the 
opportunity  to  fire  a  gun.  In  the  midst  of  all  this  disastrous  confusion, 
the  calm  features  and  striking  figure  of  Burnside  appeared  conspicuous, 
meeting  every  emergency,  providing  against  every  calamity,  confident, 
imparting  to  his  men  his  own  indomitable  cheerfulness,  and  inspiring  them 
with  his  own  unfailing  hopefulness.  The  gallant  and  able  defenders  of 
the  position  flattered  themselves  with  the  easy  repulse  of  any  assault  that 
could  be  made  against  it,  bv  land  or  bv  water,  even  unaided  by  the  ele 
ments,  which  seemed  to  have  conspired  in  their  favor.  They  were 
strongly  fortified,  naturally,  and  by  artificial  works,  skillfully  constructed, 
and  of  great  strength. 
A  not  over  friendly  pen  thus  describes  the  situation  : 

When  a  generation  shall  arrive  that  has.  time  to  read  the  romance  of  the  four  years  we 
call  the  Rebellion,  none  of  its  episodes  will  stand  out  more  picturesquely  than  Burnside's 
audacious  assault  upon  the  rebel  seaboard  at  its  most  defensible  point.  Newbern  was 
the  knot  of  a  ganglia  of  railway  systems.  An  army  of  one  hundred  thousand  men  could 
have  beer!  concentrated  on  its  circumvallating  land  and  water  lines  long  before  Burnside 
felt  justified  in  attacking.  The  rebels  were  content  with  confronting  the  expedition  with 
equal  or  but  slightly  superior  numbers,  and  though. they  had  much  in  their  favor,  the  ad 
mirable  courage  and  intrepid  combinations  of  the  Union  commanders  wrested  lines  and 
defenses  from  well-organized  defenders  that  in  any  other  war  or  at  any  other  time  would 
have  given  the  victors  an  imperishable  fame.  Landing  his  little  army  below  Xewbern, 
on  the  Xeuse  River,  Burnside  deployed  his  lines  with  a  simple  failh  in  the  Army  Regula 
tions  that  would  have  given  joy  to  such  a  martinet  as  Von  Moltke  or  Frederick.  The 
rebels  were  admirably  protected,  and  hud  not  anticipated  serious  peril  to  disturb  the  serenity 
of  their  confidence.  Great  fields  of  yellow  fur/.e,  with  a  thin  growth  of  pines,  separated 
their  works  from  the  river.  These  works,  beginning  with  an  enormous  railway  embank 
ment  that  reached  the  dimensions  of  bastions  at  certain  points,  were  calculated  to  hold  an 
army  in  check  until  field-guns  and  regular  approaches  should  demolish  them.  Burnside, 
though  timid  in  peace  and  diffident  in  war,  was  never  cautious  in  battle.  He  believed 
that  armies  nearly  equal  in  numbers  could  find  no  better  business  than  fighting  a  situation 
out  on  the  first  opportunity.  Heckmann,  the  dashing  commander  of  the  Ninth  New  Jersey 
infantry,  took  the  lead,  and  the  regiment  tore  across  the  field  on  a  run.  They  found  the 
men  behind  the  works  as  full  of  ardor  as  themselves.  The  (Ian  of  the  Jcrseyinen,  how- 
ever,  had  caught  the  Connecticut  troops  and  Xew  Yorkers,  and  the  line,  though  mowed 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURXSIDE. 

down  and  almost  annihilated,  reached  the  railway,  surmounted,  crossed  the  ditch  on  the 
side,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  astonished  and  confident  rebels  were  prisoners.  This  is 
not  the  place,  however,  to  relate  this  admirably  complete  military  diversion. 

This  was  the  earliest  important  Union  success  in  the  East.  The  grum 
blers,  a  class  always  numerous,  and  noisy  in  proportion  to  their  igno 
rance  of  the  purposes,  or  even  of  the  destination  of  the  expedition,  had 
been  loud  in  their  predictions  of  its  failure,  in  which  they  were  stren^th- 
ened  by  vague  reports  of  disaster  and  shipwreck.  When  the  news  of 
victory  was  flashed  across  the  wires,  one  exultant  shout  rose  throughout 
the  North,  and  the  name  of  Burnside  was  in  every  mouth. 

General  Burnside  then  joined  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  where  he  or 
ganized  the  Ninth  Corps,  which  rendered  so  important  services,  and  won 
for  itself  and  its  commander  so  high  renown.  On  the  i-fth  of  September, 
1862,  General  Burnside  achieved  the  victory  of  South  Mountain.  At  the 
battle  of  Antietam,  he  commanded  the  left  wing  of  the  army.  Returning 
to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  he  resumed  command  of  his  favorite  Ninth 
Corps.  Here  he  was  offered  the  command  of  the  army.  He  declined  it, 
with  unaffected  diffidence,  as  he  had  twice  before;  but  it  was  pressed  upon 
him  by  positive  orders,  and  he  could  not.  longer,  without  insubordina 
tion,  refuse  it.  The  battle  of  Fredericksburg  followed.  I  do  not  pro 
pose  to  enter  upon  any  discussion  of  that  conflict,  so  disastrous  to  the 
L'nion  arms.  I  wish  to  arouse  no  animosities,  by  bringing  up  disputed 
points  ;  but  I  should  not  render  justice  to  the  occasion,  did  I  not  say  that, 
in  the  judgment  of  men  infinitely  better  instructed  than  I.  in  military 
affairs,  had  the  general  been  seconded  by  the  loyal  and  cordial  coopera 
tion  of  all  his  chief  subordinates,  and  had  he  received  promised  appli 
ances,  victory  would  have  perched  on  the  Union  banners.  Such,  I  have 
no  doubt,  was  his  own  opinion,  although  I  never  heard  him  declare  it. 

As  magnanimous  in  disaster  as  he  was  modest  in  success,  he  assumed 
the  whole  responsibility  of  the  defeat,  and  made  no  complaint.  He  simply 
demanded  the  removal  of  certain  officers  as  the  condition  on  which  alone 
he  could  efficiently  and  satisfactorily  remain  at  the  head  of  the  army. 
This  condition  not  complied  with,  he  resigned,  and  turned  over  the  com 
mand  to  General  Hooker.  When  urged  to  make  public  his  grievances, 
he  replied  that  it  would  embarrass  General  Hooker,  whose  success  he  sin 
cerely  desired,  and,  with  his  hopeful  disposition,  believed  in.  Time  and 
history,  he  said,  would  vindicate  him,  and  if  they  failed  to  do  so,  it  was 
better  that  he  should  remain  under  a  cloud  of  undeserved  reproach,  than 
that  a  word  should  be  added  to  the  dissensions  already  too  prevalent  in 
the  army.  An  appeal  to  the  popular  feeling  in  a  matter  of  this  kind 
was  abhorrent  to  his  ideas  of  military  discipline.  In  the  order  transfer 
ring  his  command,  he  said,  after  praising  the  courage,  patience,  and  en 
durance  of  the  men,  "  Continue  to  exercise  these  virtues;  be  true  in  your 


4i 8  LIFE  AXD   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

devotion  to  vour  country,  and  to  the  principles  you  have  sworn  to  main 
tain  ;  give  to  the  brave  and  skillful  general  who  has  so  long  been  identi 
fied  with  vour  organization,  and  who  is  now  to  command  vou,  your  full 
and  cordial  support  and  cooperation,  and  vou  will  deserve  success." 

The  President  refused  to  accept  General  Burnside's  resignation  of  his 
commission,  and  appointed  him  to  the  command  of  the  Department  of 
the  Ohio,  where  he  rendered  eminent  and  conspicuous  service,  clearing 
the  countrv  of  guerillas,  and  affording  protection  to  the  loyal  population. 
Attacked  by  Longstreet,  with  vastly  superior  forces,  he  retired,  after 
repulsing  the  enemv,  which  outnumbered  him  nearly  three  to  one,  at 
Campbell's  Station,  to  Knoxville,  which  he  occupied  and  fortified,  and 
•where  he  successfully  resisted  the  siege  which  that  able  general  laid  to 
it.  A  terrific  assault  was  made  upon  his  fortifications,  and  was  repulsed 
with  equal  impetuosity;  and  the  enemv  was  driven  back,  with  the  loss 
of  1,400  men.  Encouraged  bv  dispatches  from  General  Grant,  urging 
the  importance  of  maintaining  the  position  which  he  occupied,  General 
Burnside  held  out,  by  the  fertility  of  his  resources,  bv  his  patience,  per 
sistence,  and  unfailing  hopefulness,  with  all  which  qualities  he  had  the 
happy  faculty  of  inspiring  his  men,  till  Longstreet,  warned  by  the  ap 
proaching  relief  of  Sherman,  was  obliged  to  raise  the  siege. 

Again  assigned  to  the  command  of  his  own  Ninth  Corps,  General 
Burnside  participated  actively  in  the  closing  operations  of  the  war, 
under  General  Grant.  In  front  of  Petersburg,  he  undertook  the  mine 
about  which  so  much  has  been  said  and  written.  I  have  not  time  to  go 
into  an  account  of  this  work  ;  but  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that,  had  he 
been  permitted  to  carry  out  that  enterprise  on  his  own  plans,  and  with 
troops  of  his  own  selection,  it  would  have  been  a  success.  The  whole 
matter  was  investigated  by  the  Congressional  Committee  on  the  Conduct 
of  the  \Yar,  which  said  in  its  report: 

The  cause  of  the  disastrous  result  of  the  assault  of  the  3Oth  of  July  last  is  mainly  attribu 
table  to  the  fact,  that  the  plans  and  suggestions  of  the  general  (Burnside)  who  devoted 
his  attention  for  so  long  a  time  to  the  subject,  who  had  carried  out  to  so  successful  com 
pletion  the  project  of  mining  the  enemy's  works,  and  who  had  so  carefully  selected  and 
drilled  his  troops,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  whatever  advantages  might  be  attainable 
from  the  explosion  of  the  mine,  should  have  been  so  entirely  disregarded  by  a  general  who 
had  evinced  no  faith  in  the  successful  prosecution  of  that  work,  had  aided  it  by  no  coun 
tenance  or  open  approval,  and  had  assumed  the  entire  direction  and  control,  only  when  it 
was  completed,  and  the  time  had  come  for  reaping  any  advantage  that  might  be  derived 
from  it. 

And  General  Grant,  in  his  testimony  before  the  Committee  on  the 
Conduct  of  the  War,  frankly  said,  "  General  Burnside  wanted  to  put  his 
colored  division  in  front,  and  I  believe  if  he  had  done  so,  it  ivould  have 
been  a  success."  Surely,  if  human  testimony  avails  anything,  this  is  a 
sufficient  vindication  of  General  Burnside. 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BUR X SIDE.  41 9 

At  the  close  of  the  Rebellion,  General  Burnside  resigned  his  commis 
sion,  and  retired  to  private  life.  In  1866  he  was  elected  governor  of 
Rhode  Island  ;  he  was  twice  reelected,  when  he  declined  further  service. 
In  1875,  he  entered  this  body,  where  his  honorable  and  useful  course  is 
well  known  to  us  all.  On  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office  he  was 
reelected. 

In  1870,  during  the  Franco-German  war,  General  Burnside  was  in 
Europe.  At  Versailles,  the  headquarters  of  the  invading  army,  he  made 
the  acquaintance  of  the  German  Emperor,  the  Crown  Prince,  Bismarck, 
and  Von  Moltke,  on  all  of  whom  he  made  a  favorable  impression,  and 
especially  on  Bismarck.  Dr.  Russell  wrote  to  the  London  Times:  "Bis 
marck  likes  him  (Burnside).  Indeed  there  are  few  persons  of  any  nation 
who  will  not  be  touched  by  the  cordial  nature  and  uprightness  of  the 
man,  by  his  solid  good  sense  and  kindliness  of  nature,  and  by  his  clear 
ness  of  perception,  unmarred  by  show,  selfishness,  or  any  affectation 
of  statesmanship,  which  is,  perhaps,  the  highest  diplomacy.  Count  Bis 
marck  has  a  penchant  for  Americans  of  a  certain  high  stamp.  He  says, 
'  I  like  self-made  men.  It  is  the  best  sort  of  manufacture  in  our  race.'  " 
In  the  interest  of  peace  General  Burnside  went,  under  a  flag  of  truce, 
twice  to  Paris,  where  he  had  interviews  with  Jules  Favre,  General  Trochu, 
and  other  members  of  the  government.  The  visit  was  attended  with  con 
siderable  personal  danger,  as  there  was  no  communication  permitted  be 
tween  the  hostile  lines,  and  the  general  and  his  partv  were  fired  on,  at 
their  approach,  their  flag  of  truce  being  misunderstood. 

lie  went  in  no  official  capacity,  but  was  the  bearer  of  certain  suggestions 
from  Count  Bismarck  to  Monsieur  Jules  Favre,  in  relation  to  an  armis 
tice,  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  the  French  people  to  elect  a  constituent 
assembly,  to  replace  the  fallen  Empire,  and  to  enter  into  negotiations  for 
peace.  Count  Bismarck  authorized  General  Burnside  to  say  that  he 
would  grant  an  absolute  armistice  of  forty-eight  hours  for  holding  an 
election,  and  give  every  facility  for  a  fair  election,  as  well  as  for  the  sub 
sequent  departure  of  the  members  elected  for  the  city  of  Paris  for  the 
place  where  the  constituent  assembly  might  meet.  The  government  of 
Paris  was  not,  however,  disposed  to  permit  the  election  of  a  constituent 
assembly,  which  might  deprive  it  of  power,  and  General  Burnside's 
mission  simply  opened  the  door  for  future  negotiations.  The  general, 
after  his  second  visit  to  Paris,  obtained  from  Count  Bismarck  permis 
sion  for  about  one  hundred  Americans  to  leave  Paris,  many  of  them 
without  funds  and  in  a  deplorable  condition. 

The  general  was  impressed  with  the  appearance  of  Paris,  invested  by 
an  immense  army;  isolated  from  the  rest  of  the  world,  except  when  a 
mail  was  received  under  a  flag  of  truce,  or  sent  away  by  a  balloon  ;  with 
500,000  troops  in  the  city,  and  10,000  sailors  manning  the  heavy  guns  on 


420 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


the  outer  forts;  with  its  theatres  closed,  its  gas-lights  extinguished,  and 
its  markets  destitute  of  meat,  poultry,  fish,  and  game.  He  was  not  at  the 
time  communicative  respecting  his  visit,  but  he  expressed  his  opinion 
that  Paris  could  not  be  successfully  defended,  and  that  it  could  not  be 
taken  by  assault. 

In  1852,  General  Burnside  married  Mary  Richmond  Bishop,  a  most  ex 
cellent  and  accomplished  woman,  graced  with  every  virtue  that  adorns 
her  sex.  After  a  most  happy  union,  she  died  in  1876.  During  the  five 
vears  that  he  survived  her  he  did  not  cease  to  lament  her. 

General  Burnside  united  as  many  excellencies  with  as  few  failings  as 
often  meet  in  one  character.  Brave,  manly,  generous,  he  joined  to  the 
rugged  masculine  virtues  and  "all  that  may  become  a  man"  a  softness 
and  gentleness  of  disposition  that  became  a  woman.  Quick  in  his  con 
ceptions,  rapid  in  his  processes,  he  was  sometimes  hasty  in  his  judgments  ; 
but  he  always  held  them  open  to  evidence,  and  subject  to  argument,  and 
with  a  singular  absence  of  the  pride  of  opinion,  he  changed  them  frankly, 
on  conviction.  He  believed  in  general  laws,  to  the  test  of  whose  princi 
ples  he  brought  particular  cases.  Incapable  of  guile,  liberal  in  his  esti 
mate  of  men,  he  was,  occasionally,  too  little  suspicious  of  the  guileful- 
ness  of  others.  Yet  he  was  no  mean  judge  of  character,  and  no  man  long 
deceived  him;  nor  ever  twice.  He  had  an  instinctive  horror  of  injustice, 
and  a  genuine  contempt  for  meanness;  yet  his  horror  of  the  one  and  his 
contempt  for  the  other  were,  to  a  certain  extent,  modified  by  his  charita 
bleness  ;  and  after  strongly  denouncing  a  wrong,  he  would  interpose  some 
palliation  for  the  wrong-doer,  would  find  some  generous  mitigation  of 
the  offence  which  he  could  not  defend  and  could  not  overlook.  No  man 
was  firmer  in  his  friendships  or  more  faithful  in  his  convictions.  Noth 
ing  could  tempt  him  to  an  act  which  his  conscience  condemned.  No 
sophistry,  no  personal  appeal  could  move  him  from  his  fixed  idea  of 
right. 

General  Burnside  was  a  man  of  profound  religious  beliefs.  He  held 
firmlv  to  the  truths  of  religion,  natural  and  revealed,  and  had  full  confi 
dence  in  a  superintending  Providence,  which,  whether  working  by  gen 
eral  laws,  or  by  special  interposition,  he  cared  not  to  inquire,  ruled  in  the 
affairs  of  men.  He  had  a  faith,  almost  superstitious  in  its  force,  that 
men  were  rewarded  for  their  good,  and  were  punished,  for  their  evil  deeds, 
even  in  this  world;  that,  in  the  long  run  a  man  did  not  suffer  from  an 
honest  conduct,  or  profit  from  a  dishonest  one.  Often,  when  under  a 
sense  of  injustice  toward  himself,  or  lamenting  it  in  others,  he  has  said 
to  me,  "  Well,  there  is  a  good  Father  above,  who  watches  over  us,  and 
who  will  bring  all  this  out  right,  in  the  end;"  and  while  holding,  with 
the  tenacity  of  conviction,  to  his  own  deliberate  judgments,  he  was  most 
generous  in  his  estimate  of  others,  never  seeking  or,  save  in  the  plainest 


GEX.   AMIilfOSE  E.    BURNSIDE. 


42I 


cases,  accepting  an  unworthy  motive  when  a  worth v  one  could  be   found 
applicable. 

He  had,  also,  an  undouhting  faith  in  elective  institutions,  and  that  the 
people,  however  they  might  be  misled  in  the  beginning,  would  ultimately 
decide,  correctly  and  patriotically,  every  question  on  which  they  were 
called  upon  to  act.  That  sanguine  temperament,  which  enters  so  largely 
into  the  elements  of  success,  made  him  always  confident  of  the  final  tri 
umph  of  the  political  principles  in  which  he  firmly  believed.  He  had 
what  seemed  to  me  an  exaggerated  estimate  of  the  rights  and  just  powers 
and  duties  of  our  government  toward  the  other  American  states ;  and 
looked  forward  to  the  supremacy  of  our  flag  over  almost  the  entire  con 
tinent, — a  consummation,  however,  which,  as  he  fully  believed  it  would 
come  in  God's  good  time,  he  would  not  hasten  by  act  of  violent  aggres 
sion,  although,  as  the  Senate  knows,  he  was  strongly  in  favor  of  assert 
ing  our  rights,  bv  declaratory  legislation. 

Need  I  speak,  in  this  presence,  of  General  Burnside's  hospitality,  so 
cordial !  so  elegant!  yet  so  simple  and  so  unostentatious  !  Who  that  has 
enjoyed  it,  who  that  has  seen  his  genial  countenance  and  his  commanding 
form,  at  the  head  of  his  table,  can  forget  them? 

General  Burnside  was  strongly  attached  to  rural  pleasures  and  addicted 
to  agricultural  pursuits.  His  little  estate,  of  fifty-seven  acres,  near  Bris 
tol,  and  named  "  Edghill  Farm,"  after  his  father  and  his  paternal  grand 
mother,  was  a  model  farm,  and,  by  the  application  of  science  to  practical 
experience,  had  be*n  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation  ;  and  prouder 
than  of  all  his  successes  in  the  field,  and  in  the  forum,  he  seemingly  was 
of  his  meadow  that  cut  three  tons  to  the  acre,  and  of  his  corn-field  that 
yielded  sixteen  hundred  bushels  to  twelve  acres.  His  herd  of  Alderneys, 
of  the  purest  blood,  and  of  the  finest  character,  was  the  admiration  of  the 
neighborhood.  He  was  very  fond  of  his  horses  and  his  cattle,  which  — 
such  is  the  effect  of  steady  kindness  even  upon  the  brute  creation  —  knew 
his  voice,  and  always  welcomed  his  approaching  steps.  His  favorite 
horse  —  the  gift  of  some  unknown  friend —  that  had  borne  him  on  many 
a  hard-fought  field,  lived  to  the  age  of  nigh  thirty  years,  and,  long  past 
service  to  his  owner,  became  bv  reason  of  age  and  infirmity,  a  burden  to 
himself,  till  life  was  nothing  but  a  prolonged  suffering.  Yet  the  general  , 
was  reluctant,  even  at  the  dictate  of  humanity,  to  have  him  killed.  At 
last,  he  yielded,  and  ordered  the  animal  to  be  shot,  but  not  till  he  should 
have  departed  for  Washington.  The  time  of  that  departure  never  came. 
The  day  when  the  lifeless  body  of  the  Senator  was  borne  from  the  farm 
that  he  loved  so  well,  the  faithful  beast  was  shot. 

General  Burnside  delivered  several  speeches  and  addresses  at  agricul 
tural  meetings.  These  were  replete  with  sound  doctrine,  practical  sug 
gestions,  and  sturdy  common  sense.  Among  his  papers  was  an  address 


422  LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

that  he  had  prepared,  to  he  delivered  before  the  Aquidneck  Agricultural 
Society  of  Rhode  Island,  whose  fair  a  slight  indisposition,  just  before  the 
fatal  attack,  had  prevented  him  from  attending.  In  the  cultivation  and 
improvement  'of  his  farm,  he  took  the  greatest  delight.  He  loved  to 
watch  the  ripening  fruit,  the  young  trees  putting  forth  their  tender  leaves 
and  extending  their  growing  branches,  the  yellow  field,  tremulous  with 
the  waving  harvest.  Always,  on  the  adjournment  of  the  Senate,  he 
turned,  with  eager  steps,  to  his  chosen  acres.  They  are  situated  on  a 
ridge  of  land  gently  sloping  to  Mount  Hope  Bay,  an  indentation  of  the 
broader  Narragansett,  and  navigable  to  the  shore  of  the  farm,  command 
ing  a  view  seldom  equaled,  by  land  and  water,  including  a  portion  of  the 
island  that  gives  its  name  to  the  State,  the  beautiful  rural  town  of  Bristol, 
the  white  roofs  of  Fall  River,  whose  tall  chimneys  continually  darken  the 
sky  with  the  smoke  of  toil,  and  Mount  Hope,  the  ancient  seat  of  King 
Philip,  and  the  place  where  that  renowned  warrior  was  slain.  The  house 
is  of  a  quaint  and  peculiar  construction,  built  after  the  General's  own  fancy, 
and  from  his  own  designs,  and,  in  its  architecture  and  appointments,  sug 
gesting  the  idea  of  a  maritime  structure.  Here,  he  dispensed  an  elegant 
and  profuse,  yet  simple  and  inexpensive  hospitality.  The  highest  person 
ages  in  the  land  and  the  humblest  soldier  that  ever  fought  by  his  side  met 
the  same  cordial  reception,  the  same  frank  and  unaffected  welcome.  The 
great  dining-room,  around  whose  table  many  who  listen  to  me  have  sat, 
is  inclosed  with  broad  piazzas,  having  curious  and  original  arrangements, 
the  fruit  of  the  general's  mechanical  tastes,  for  protection  from  the  fer 
vid  heats  of  summer  and  the  chilling  blasts  of  winter,  and  is  distinguished 
by  an'enormous  fire-place,  over  which  rise  the  huge  antlers  of  a  great 
deer  or  caribou.  Ah  !  the  genial  hospitality  of  that  famous  room  !  In 
my  mind's  eye,  the  picture  is  before  me!  The  farm  is  a  lovely  spot, 
never  lovelier  than  on  the  sad  day  when  I  saw  it  last,  bathed  in  the  soft 
light  of  early  November,  bending  beneath  the  golden  weight  of  autumn, 
resplendent  with  the  hues  of  the.dying  year. 

General  Burnside's  death  was  very  sudden.  The  afternoon  before,  he 
was  at  my  house,  in  Providence.  He  had  been  a  little  ill,  for  a  fesv  days 
previous,  but  with  nothing  that  caused  apprehension.  He  left  me  gaily, 
promising  to  return  the  next  morning.  He  insisted  upon  walking  to  the 
railroad-station,  half  a  mile  distant,  saying  that  the  exercise  would  do 
him  good.  On  the  following  morning  I  received  a  telephonic  message 
that  he  was  very  ill,  and  requesting  me  to  come  to  him.  Before  a  car 
riage  could  be  brought  to  the  door,  a  second  message  came,  saying  that 
he  was  dead.  He  had  been  alarmingly  ill,  scarcely  an  hour.  Of  all 
those  who  loved  him.  only  his  faithful  and  attached  servants  stood  by 
his  dying  bed.  Shall  we  lament  the  manner  of  such  a  death?  Is  it  not 
better  than  the  slow  decay,  the  wasted  form,  the  failing  mind  of  age?  To 


GEN.   AMBROSE  E.    BURNSIDE.  423 

him  whom  a  life  of  usefulness  and  of  goodness  has  prepared  for  his  com 
ing,  death,  when  he  comes  unannounced,  comes  robbed  of  half  his  terrors. 
Let  us  find  consolation  for  that  portion  of  him  which  has  died,  in  the 
contemplation  of  that  portion  which  could  not  die,  in  the  memory  of  his 
services  to  his  country,  his  great  achievements,  his  unselfish  generosity, 
his  patriotism,  his  public  and  his  private  virtues. 

General  Burnside  was  of  fine  address,  of  a  commanding  stature,  a  strik 
ingly  handsome  man.  The  frankness  of  his  expression  and  the  sweetness 
of  his  smile,  at  once  won  upon  the  observer,  and  prepared  him  for  that 
favorable  judgment  which  a  fuller  acquaintance  never  failed  to  confirm. 
His  age  was  fifty-seven.  I  think  that  no  man  survives  him  whose  form  and 
features  are  known  to  a  greater  number  of  persons.  They  were  calculated 
to  attract  attention,  and  once  seen  were  not  likelv  to  be  forgotten.  His 
acquaintance  in  the  army,  where  he  had  held  large  commands,  his  fre 
quent  journeyings  at  home,  and  his  foreign  travel;  his  entrance  into 
Paris,  at  a  time  and  under  circumstances  that  rendered  him  the  observed 
of  all  observers,  made  him  familiar  to  hundreds  of  thousands  who  did  not 
have  his  personal  acquaintance. 

Upon  my  personal  relations  with  General  Burnside  I  do  not  dwell;  I 
scarce  venture  to  speak  of  them.  As  you  know,  Senators,  they  were  of 
the  most  intimate  and  tender  character.  During  our  whole  service  to 
gether,  they  were  never  disturbed  bv  differences  or  clouded  by  doubt  or 
distrust.  Not  always  agreeing  upon  public  measures,  we  differed,  on 
those  rare  occasions  when  .we  did  differ,  with  mutual  respect  and  confi 
dence.  He  was  the  most  lovable  man  that  I  ever  knew  ;  and  I  loved  him, 
I  love  him  still,  with  a  love  which  will  find  no  successor  to  him,  in  my 
affection.  Not  a  day  has  passed,  since  I  last  looked  upon  him,  scarcely 
a  waking  hour,  when  he  has  not  been  in  my  mind.  And  even  if  I  could 
have  forgotten  him,  I  should  have  been  reminded  of  him  by  the  expres 
sions  of  sympathy  which  have  continually  met  me. 

"Ah!  Jonathan!  my  brother!  lorne 

And    friendless  1  must  looke  to  be! 
That  harte  whose  woe  thou  oft  has  borne 

Is  sore  and  strickene  nowe  for  thee ! 
Younge  bridegroome's  love  on  brydal  morne  — 

Oh  it  was  lyghte  to  tliyne  for  me. 
Thy  tymeless  lolte  I  now  must  plaync, 

Even  on  thyne  own  highe  places  slayne." 

Friend,  companion,  brother!  hail  and  farewell!  The  memory  of  thy 
virtues  and  of  thy  services,  and  that  thou  did'st  deem  me  worthy  of  thy 
friendship  and  thy  confidence  are  my  chief  consolation,  in  the  irrepara 
ble  loss  that  I  have  suffered. 


CHAPTER  XLl. 


CONTINUATION  OF  THE  EULOGIES  IX  THE  SENATE  — ADDRESSES  BY 
SENATOR  HARRISON,  OF  INDIANA;  SENATOR  WADE  HAMPTON, 
OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA;  AND  SENATOR  ALDRICH,  OF  RHODE 

ISLAND. 


SENATOR   HARRISON,    who   is    a    grandson   of 
President  Harrison,  and  who  served  honorably  in 
the  war  for  the  suppression  of  the  Rebellion,  paid 
the  following  tribute  to  General  Burnside,  as  a  son  of  the 
State  which  he  represented  in  the  Senate  : 

Mr.  President:  Senator  Burnside  was  a  native  of  Indiana,  from  which 
State  he  entered  the  Military  Academy  in  the  year  1842.  Since  that  time 
he  has  never  resided  in  our  State,  but  his  affectionate  interest  in  the  place 
of  his  birth,  and  in  his  relatives  who  continued  to  reside  there,  was 
always  manifest.  In  asking  a  little  time  to-day,  in  which  to  present  an 
unpretentious  but  very  sincere  tribute  to  the  memory  of  Senator  Burn- 
side,  I  am  not  responding  merely  to  a  formal  duty  which  might  seem  to 
be  imposed  upon  me  as  a  representative  of  the  State  in  which  he  was  born, 
but  also  to  the  promptings  of  a  friendship  which,  though  brief,  had  in  it 
the  element  of  endurance,  for  it  was  founded  on  a  verv  high  respect  for 
his  character. 

I  shall  always  count  it  a  pleasant  incident  of  my  introduction  to  the 
Senate  that  I  was  so  placed  as  to  be  much  in  his  company  during  the  last 
session  of  his  service  here.  His  greeting  each  morning  was  like  a  bene 
diction —  so  much  of  grace  and  kindness  was  there  in  it.  In  the  light  of 
a  short  intimate  acquaintance  I  find  no  difficulty  in  understanding  the 


GE\.    AMRJtOSE   E.    BURNS  IDE. 


425 


secret  of  that  strong  affection  which  existed  between  General  Burnside 
and  all  of  those  who  were  brought  much  in  contact  with  him,  both  in 
military  and  civil  life. 

He  was  a  bold,  frank,  friendlv,  generous  man.  There  are  men,  and 
not  a  few,  who  selfishly  absorb  the  lives  and  achievements  of  others  ;  who 
deck  themselves  with  laurels  they  have  not  won,  and  strut  in  pilfered 
greatness.  Such  was  not  our  friend.  He  did  reverence  to  merit  and  to 
high  achievement  wherever  he  saw  it.  lie  applauded  the  heroic  acts  of 
others  with  no  half-hearted  cheer,  nor  ever  admitted  to  his  generous  soul 
the  base  suggestion  tlVnt  when  others  were  praised  the  world's  thoughts 
turned  from  him. 

Speaking  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps,  which  General  Burnside  com 
manded  so  long,  his  biographer  says:  "Jealousy,  that  bane  of  military 
life,  was  unknown."  I  can  accept  this  record  with  implicit  faith,  for  jeal 
ousy  never  found  harbor  or  hiding-place  in  the  heart  of  the  commanding 
general.  There  was  no  room  in  that  well-lighted  breast  for  this  black 
angel.  As  a  subordinate,  he  never  failed  to  yield  a  quick  and  loyal  obedi 
ence  to  his  superior;  nor  ever  sought  to  justify  his  own  judgment  in  the 
council  by  a  hesitating  support  of  the  plan  of  battle  which  his  superior 
had  chosen.  He  was  a  true  soldier  —  one  who  had  not  only  a  master  but 
a  cause,  into  the  fellowship  of  which  he  received  all  who  made  that  cause 
common.  He  might  join  in  the  high  rivalry  of  those  who  would  give 
most  to  this  sacred  cause,  or  win  most  honor  to  the  Hag;  but  if  he  might 
not  be  the  first  to  plant  the  flag  on  the  enemy's  battlements,  he  would  at 
least  be  found  among  those  who  hailed  with  cheers  both  the  flag  and  the 
victor.  He  never  minified  the  deeds  of  others  to  make  his  own  more  con 
spicuous.  He  was  no  egotist,  but  always  rated  himself  below  the  value  at 
which  others  appraised  him.  The  modest  way  in  which  he  often  spoke 
to  me  of  his  deficiencies  as  a  contestant  in  the  debates  of  this  chamber,  I 
well  remember.  These  were  not  the  self-depreciating  utterances  of  one 
seeking  flattery.  His  sincerity  was  as  conspicuous  as  his  modesty.  Nor 
was  his  noble  soul  hurt  or  embittered  by  the  confession_  that  others  sur 
passed  him.  And  here,  I  think,  Mr.  President,  we  have  the  secret  of  that 
enduring  summer  which  wanned  the  heart  and  lighted  the  face  of  our  be 
loved  friend. 

He  was  a  man  who  kept  the  shield  of  his  personal  honor  bright  and 
unspotted.  Dishonesty,  meanness,  subterfuge,  deception  roused  his 
nature  into  flame,  and  always  received  his  unstinted  denunciation.  He 
was  not  content  to  disapprove  of  wrong;  he  assailed  it.  All  who  knew 
him  have  witnessed  how  his  soul  kindled  and  his  words  grew  hot  at  any 
recital  of  oppression  or  injustice. 

He  was  a  man  of  great  purity  and  delicacy  of  feelings.  Coarseness 
and  vulgarity  seemed  peculiarly  offensive  to  him.  He  was  always  a  re- 


426 


LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


fined  and  courtly  gentleman,  full  of  sweet  sympathies  and  kindly 
deeds. 

At  the  wide  fireside  of  Burnside's  heart  many  guests  have  received 
\varmth  and  light;  and  coming  again,  after  rears  of  separation,  have 
found  that  no  old  friend  was  ever  crowded  out  of  that  hospitable  soul. 

Humble  men  and  common  interests  had  his  sympathies.  Several 
times,  as  he  opened  his  mail  at  his  desk,  he  has  turned  to  read  aloud  to 
me  the  letters  of  the  farmer  who  had  in  charge  the  little  farm  at  Bristol. 
The  news  of  the  herd  and  the  dairy,  couched  in  homely  phrase,  seemed 
greatly  to  please  him,  and  the  kindly  words  he  spoke  of  those  who  had 
these  small  interests  in  charge  opened  to  me  a  pleasant  glimpse  of  a 
happy  home. 

The  duty  of  bringing  to  our  memory  to-day  the  striking  incidents  in 
the  honorable  life  of  Senator  Burnside  belongs  to  the  Senators  from 
Rhode  Island,  and  I  would  not  intrude  upon  it.  I  have  alluded,  to  some 
of  those  traits  of  the  deceased  which  were  so  conspicuous  as  to  be  easily 
marked  by  every  one  who  knew  him.  Beneath  these  outcroppings  of  a 
great  heart  and  life  there  were  doubtless  beds  of  gold  which  time  and  in 
timacy  only  could  reveal.  The  senior  Senator  of  this  body,  the  colleague 
and  close  friend  of  the  deceased,  has  done  tenderly  and  eloquently  this 
last  office  of  an  affection  which  even  the  youngest  of  us  had  time  to  notice 
and  admire. 

But  I  will  be  excused,  I  am  sure,  if  I  allude  to  a  few  incidents  in  the  life 
of  General  Burnside  which  seem  to  me  to  illustrate  the  observations  of 
his  character  made  during  the  few  months  of  our  close  acquaintance 
here. 

When  the  Civil  War  broke  out,  he  had  already  achieved  honorable  pro 
motion  in  the  service  of  one  of  the  great  railroad  corporations  of  the  West. 
Before  him  the  avenues  of  wealth  and  honorable  distinction  in  civil  life 
opened  alluringly.  But  when  the  call  of  his  country  came,  the  enticements 
of  wealth  and  ease  did  not  for  a  moment  enthrall  his  patriotic  spirit. 
Suddenly  inquired  of  by  wire  when  he  could  take  command  of  the  First 
Rhode  Island  Regiment,  his  answer  was,  "  at  once."  And  from  that 
April  day  till  peace  came  again  to  a  restored  country,  he  gave  his  time, 
his  heart,  his  life  to  the  Nation's  service  with  an  unselfish  patriotism  that 
was  never  excelled.  He  had  no  days  of  sulking,  but  was  always  ready  for 
any  honorable  service  to  which  a  soldier  might  be  called.  We  may  truth 
fully  say  of  him  what,  in  orders  to  his  corps  after  Antietam,  he  said  of 
the  commander  of  its  third  division  (General  Rodman),  who  fell  in  that 
fight:  "  He  has  left  a  bright  example  of  unselfish  patriotism,  undimmed 
by  one  thought  of  self." 

The  command  of  the  Armv  of  the  Potomac  did  not  come  to  him  as  the 
result  of  ambitious  self-seeking.  He  had  loyally  supported  those  who 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 


427 


preceded  him  in  this  responsible  trust.  In  addressing  General  Halleck 
after  his  appointment  he  said  :  "  Had  I  been  asked  to  take  it  I  should  have 
declined,  but  being  ordered,  I  cheerfully  obey."  Most  bitterly  did  this 
modest  soldier  feel  the  jealousy  which  his  appointment  developed  in  his 
army.  This  is  not  the  place  to  apportion  the  praise  or  blame  of.  Freder- 
icksburg.  But  against  the  background  of  that  bloody  repulse  some  of  the 
noblest  traits  of  General  Burnside  are  made  conspicuous.  lie  did  not  in 
dulge  in  whimpering  complaints  of  others,  but,  with  a  courage  higher- 
than  that  of  battle,  assumed  the  just  responsibility  of  the  fight  he  had 
ordered. 

The  press  of  the  country  severely  criticised  the  overburdened  President, 
and  charged  that  he  had  forced  Burnside  to  fight,  against  his  judgment. 
Mr.  Raymond,  the  veteran  editor  of  the  New  York  Times,  who  was  at  the 
headquarters  of  the  army  shortly  after  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  tells 
us  that  the  President  was  greatly  depressed  by  these  charges,  and  that 
Burnside,  hearing  of  it,  said  :  "  Mr.  President,  I  will  at  once  relieve  you 
on  that  score.  I  will  not  allow  ahv  one  to  suffer  for  acts  the  entire  re 
sponsibility  of  which  belongs  to  me."  This  purpose  he  nobly  fulfilled  in 
his  report. 

When  he  was  relieved  from  the  command  of  the  army  he  said  to  the 
President :  "  Neither  you  nor  General  Hooker  will  be  a  happier  man  than 
myself  if  he  shall  gain  a  victory  on  the  Rappahannock ; "  and  in  his  re 
port  of  the  movements  of  the  army  while  under  his  command,  written 
long  afterwards,  he  said  :  "  I  am  not  disposed  to  complain  of  my  lack  of 
success  in  the  exercise  of  the  command,  and  in  view  of  the  glorious  re 
sults  which  have  since  attended  the  movements  of  that  gallant  army,  I 
am  quite  willing  to  believe  that  mv  removal  was  for  the  best." 

If  unfriendly  criticism  shall  deny  to  him  some  of  the  qualities  of  the 
perfect  military  leader,  only  base  souls  will  refuse  to  do  reverence  to  the 
nobility  of  his  character.  The  black  setting  of  disaster  only  makes  these 
gems  of  the  spirit  shine  more  lustrously.  But  we  must  not  forget  that 
Fredericksburg  was  not  Burnside's  only  fight.  In  the  campaign  on  the 
Carolina  coast,  at  Antietam,  and  in  East  Tennessee,  he  gave  high  proof 
of  most  conspicuous  ability  as  a  commander. 

When  we  separated  last  spring  there  was  no  token  of  the  near  approach 
of  death.  He  seemed  to  be  in  the  perfection  of  physical  health.  Once 
afterward  I  saw  him  in  Indiana,  and  as  he  rode  with  me  that  quiet  sum 
mer  evening.  I  little  thought  I  should  see  him  no  more  in  life.  We 
talked  of  the  time  when  we  should  assemble  here  again.  But,  alas!  when 
I  came,  not  my  friend  but  the  emblems  of  death  were  beside  me.  His 
death  was  sudden,  and  yet  there  was  not  denied  him  a  brief  time  in  which 
to  adjust  the  draperies  of  his  gentle  and  reverent  spirit  ere  he  stepped 
into  the  presence  of  the  Great  King. 

Mr.  President,  in  the  death  of  General  Burnside  we  have  lost  one  who 


4- 


LIFE   AND  PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


never  denied  his  country  or  his  friend  ;  one  whose  name  was  never 
tainted  by  the  flavor  of  a  mean  or  corrupt  act;  one  who  filled  usefully 
high  and  exacting  public  trusts;  one  whose  spirit  was  never  soured  by 
disappointment  or  poisoned  by  envy;  one  who  could  be  glad  if  upon  the 
background  of  his  own  disaster  another  might  display  a  triumph  for  the 
cause  he  loved;  one  who  was  always  a  dispenser  of  hope  and  gladness. 
Surely  these  are  traits  which  we  must  not  only  admire  but  covet  for  our 
selves.  And  as  our  thoughts  bring  to  the  resurrection  these  qualities  of 
our  friend,  and  clothe  them  with  a  beauty  to  the  expression  of  which  our 
words  are  inadequate,  may  AVC  not  hope  that  the  white-winged  throng 
will  find  new  life  in  living  hearts. 

To  the  State  of  his  adoption,  where  his  active  life  was  spent,  I  bring 
to-day  a  sorrowful  greeting  from  the  State  of  his  nativity.  Indiana  mourns 
a  son  whose  high  career  she  followed  with  affection. 

Senator  Wade  Hampton,  of  South  Carolina,  the  dashing 
cavalry  leader  of  the  Confederate  army,  thus  bore  tribute 
to  the  deceased  Union  general : 

Mr.  President :  It  was  the  good  fortune  of  the  honorable  Senator  from 
Rhode  Island,  the  father  of  the  Senate,  who  has  just  spoken  so  feelingly 
of  his  distinguished  colleague,  whose  untimely  death  we  deplore,  to  have 
known  him  long  and  intimately,  and  to  have  thus  known  him  was  to 
love  him.  Bound  to  him,  as  he  was,  by  the  strong  tie  of  the  closest 
friendship  and  the  most  intimate  party  affiliation,  it  is  natural  that  in 
speaking  of  him  his  language  is  that  of  eulogy,  for  the  words  he  has 
uttered  came  warm  and  direct  from  his  heart.  So,  sir,  do  mine,  though 
my  personal  acquaintance  with  General  Burnside  dated  only  from  my 
entrance  as  a  Senator  into  this  chamber.  But  my  association  with  him 
upon  this  floor,  in  the  committee-room,  and  in  social  intercourse  soon 
impressed  me  with  his  many  high  and  attractive  qualities,  and  taught  me 
not  only  to  admire  him,  but  to  regard  him  as  a  personal  friend.  In  the 
dark  days  of  the  Civil  War,  when  we  stood  in  opposing  ranks,  I  learned 
to  respect  him  as  a  true,  brave,  and  gallant  soldier  —  one  who  followed 
his  convictions  of  right  with  earnest  singleness  of  purpose;  who  fought 
not  from  ambition  or  a  desire  of  glory,  but  from  a  deep  sense  of  duty, 
and  who  in  every  act  of  his  honorable  military  career  subordinated  all 
private  considerations  to  the  public  good.  When  he  sheathed  his  sword, 
which  had  never  been  tarnished  by  dishonor  nor  stained  bv  cruelty,  he 
promptly  extended  the  hand  which  had  so  resolutely  grasped  that  sword 
in  war  to  those  who  had  been  his  enemies.  Magnanimous  as  he  was 
brave,  his  heart  was  large  enough  and  generous  enough  to  recognize, 
when  peace  came  to  our  distracted  country,  everv  American  citizen  as  his 
fellow-countryman,  and  no  act  of  his  since  the  war  was  inspired  by  sec- 


(i EN.    AMR  HOSE   E.    BURNSIDE.  420 

tional  hate  or  political  animosity.  War,  with  all  its  attendant,  inevitable 
horrors,  could  not  change  his  gentle  and  noble  nature,  for  he  seemed  to 
be  absolutely  free  from  all  the  bitterness  it  might  naturally  have  engen 
dered,  and  his  highest  aim,  his  constant  efforts  were  directed  always 
toward  the  reconciliation,  the  harmony,  and  the  enduring  peace  of  the 
country.  It  was  the  recognition  of  his  patriotic  efforts  in  this  direction, 
together  with  the  charm  of  his  kind  and  genial  manner,  that  won  for  him 
the  respect,  the  esteem,  and  the  affection  of  his  colleagues  from  the 
South,  and  I  feel  assured  that  I  give  utterance  to  the  universal  feeling 
prevailing  among  them  when  I  express  the  profoundest  sorrow  at  his 
death. 

It  is  no  disparagement  to  the  distinguished  gentleman  who  has  suc 
ceeded  him,  or  to  any  one  who  may  hereafter  do  so,  to  assert  that  Rhode 
Island,  however  prolific  she  may  be  of  able  and  patriotic  sons,  will  never 
send  to  this  chamber  one  who  can  fill  the  place  made  vacant  by  his  death 
more  worthily  that  he  did,  nor  pass  from  among  us  amid  deeper  and 
more  general  sorrow  than  is  felt  at  his  loss.  This  sorrow  is  as  sincere  as 
it  is  general;  it  is  felt  as  keenly  on  this  side  of  the  chamber  as  on  the 
other;  as  deeply  by  Southern  men  who  fought  in  the  Confederate 
ranks  as  by  Northern  who  supported  the  cause  of  the  Union.  It  seems, 
therefore,  not  inappropriate  that  I,  who  during  the  war  stood  under  the 
folds  of  the  starry  cross,  should  pay  a  tribute,  however  feeble,  to  that  gal 
lant  soldier  who,  amid  all  trials  and  vicissitudes,  in  disaster  as  in  success, 
bravely  upheld  the  flag  of  the  Union.  "  Would  that  it  were  worthier"; 
but  it  is  at  least  sincere,  for  it  comes  from  one  who  was  his  enemy  in  war 
and  in  peace  his  political  opponent.  Other  Senators  will  doubtless  tell 
of  his  distinguished  services  to  his  State  and  to  the  country  ;  of  his  high 
qualities  and  his  noble  nature;  of  his  gracious  manner  and  magnetic 
presence,  which  gained  for  him  everywhere,  in  all  the  walks  of  life,  troops 
of  friends.  I,  too,  sir,  would  fain  dwell  on  these  grateful  themes,  but 
others  have  a  higher  right  than  myself  to  do  so.  Mine  is  the  humbler 
but  not  less  grateful  duty  to  pay  a  simple  but  heartfelt  tribute  to  the 
memory  of  a  friend — one  who  could  alwavs  be  trusted,  and  whose  con 
duct  was  uniformly  marked  by  dignity,  courtesy,  and  kindness.  His  life 
long  friends,  his  party  associates,  his  comrades  in  arms,  the  whole  peo 
ple  of  the  State  that  he  loved  and  served  so  well,  have  joined  in  bewail 
ing  his  death  and  in  honoring  his  memory.  They  have  worthily  be 
decked  his  tomb  with  wreaths  of  immortelles;  I  bring  but  a  single 
sprav  of  Southern  cypress,  to  lay  it  tenderly  and  reverently  on  his  grave. 
Peace  to  his  ashes  ;  for  of  him  it  mav  with  truth  be  said,  that  throughout 
his  long,  varied,  and  honorable  career, 

"  He  bore  without  abuse 
The  grand  old  name  of  gentleman." 


430 


LIFE   AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


The  last  Senator  who  spoke, —  in  accordance  with  the 
usage," — was  the  Hon.  Nelson  W.  Aldrich,  of  Rhode 
Island,  who  had  been  as  a  Representative,  the  colleague 
of  the  deceased  Senator,  and  who  had  been  elected  as  his 
successor  in  the  Senate.  He  said  : 

Mr.  President:  Other  Senators,  better  qualified  by  long  and  familiar 
association  during  years  of  common  service  here,  or  of  common  peril  in 
the  field,  have  faithfully  told  the  story  of  General  Burnside's  life  and 
public  services.  I  cannot  hope  to  add  anything  to  their  graceful  words 
of  eulogy  and  eloquent  tributes  of  affection,  and  I  should  not  venture  to 
detain  the  Senate  bevond  a  simple  declaration  of  concurrence  in  their 
kindly  expressions  if  the  obligations  of  my  position  did  not  require  that 
I  should  confirm  the  testimony  so  feelingly  and  beautifully  given  by 
my  colleague  of  the  estimation  in  which  Senator  Burnside  was  held  by 
the  people  of  my  native  State.  No  man  stood  higher  in  the  regard  of  the 
people  of  Rhode  Island,  and  the  loss  of  none  in  all  her  history  has  been 
so  universally  mourned.  His  sudden  death  touched  our  hearts  with  sad 
ness  and  sorrow  at  a  time  when  all  were  watching  with  anxious  solicitude 
at  the  bedside  of  our  dying  Chief  Magistrate. 

The  dark  shadows  of  impending  calamity  which  then  filled  every  house 
hold  in  the  land  with  gloom,  deepened  the  grief  which  overwhelmed  our 
people  when  the  announcement  was  made  that  their  neighbor  had  been 
stricken  down,  lie  had  been  the  trusted  and  familiar  friend  of  all  classes, 
and  all  felt  that  they  had  suffered  in  his  death  an  irreparable  loss.  There 
was  something  phenomenal  in  the  attachment  of  our  entire  community  to 
General  Burnside.  It  was  the  affection  of  a  people,  proud  of  their  history 
and  traditions,  clinging  with  peculiar  tenacity  to  their  conservative  insti 
tutions,  slow  to  change  or  to  give  their  confidence,  for  a  man  who  came  to 
them  in  mature  years,  a  stranger  from  a  distant  State.  To  this  son  of 
Indiana,  who  left  behind  him  the  unequaled  opportunities  for  develop 
ment  and  the  broad  fields  of  usefulness  and  power  of  the  great  West,  and 
boldly  stemmed  the  tide  of  emigration  to  enter  in  New  England  lists 
already  crowded  with  competitors,  they  gave  abundant  evidences  of  their 
confidence  and  freely  accorded  their  highest  political  honors.  No  man 
can  say  that  these  distinctions  were  not  fairly  won  by  honorable  service. 

It  is  not  necessary  that  I  should  recall  the  familiar  facts  of  his  eventful 
career.  As  a  brave,  faithful,  and  efficient  soldier,  he  deserved  the  grati 
tude  of  his  countrymen  for  his  important  services.  •  It  may  not  be  possi 
ble  for  his  contemporaries  to  assign  to  him  the  place  he  will  occupy  in 
history  as  a  military  commander,  but  we  can  say  with  confidence  that  no 
man  entered  our  great  conflict  with  a  nobler  purpose,  or  was  actuated 


GEX.    AMJJJtOSE   E.    BURXSIDE. 

at  all  times  by  a  more  devoted  patriotism,  or  had  a  keener  appreciation 
of  the  importance  of  the  duties  he  was  called  upon  to  discharge.  The 
brightness  of  his  military  record  was  never  tarnished  by  exhibitions  of 
petty  jealousy,  or  by  unscemlv  strife  for  personal  preferment.  He  had 
courage,  a  resolute,  steadfast  determination  which  was  superior  to  all  ob 
stacles,  and  an  unwavering  faith  in  the  justice  of  his  cause.  His  famil 
iarity  with  the  personnel  of  his  command,  and  his  painstaking  care  over 
everything  which  would  contribute  to  their  convenience  and  comfort,  kept 
them  at  all  times  in  sympathy  with  their  commander  and  his  purposes. 
He  never  complained  of  any  injustice  or  neglect,  but  was  always  readv  to 
serve  whenever  and  wherever  he  was  ordered.  It  has  been  well  said  bv 
one  who  knew  him  well,  that  he  "was  never  discouraged  by  disaster  or 
soured  by  a  sense  of  injury."  He  never  sought  to  evade  the  full  measure 
of  accountability  for  his  acts  and  opinions,  and  his  exceptional  magnan 
imity  often  led  him  to  assume  the  responsibility  for  failures  and  faults 
properly  chargeable  to  others. 

\Ve  find  his  characteristic  honesty  of  purpose  and  devotion  to  duty 
manifested  in  his  life  at  the  capital.  He  did  not  look  upon  his  position 
here  as  an  honor  to  be  lightly  worn,  but  as  a  great  public  trust,  with 
grave  responsibilities.  He  was  ambitious  to  be  a  useful  servant  of  the 
people  who  had  honored  him  with  a  seat  in  the  Senate,  and  was  always 
readv  to  respond  to  demands  made  upon  him  by  his  constituents,  no  mat 
ter  how  exacting  thev  might  be.  His  conclusions  as  to  the  line  of  public 
duty  to  be  followed  were  r.eached  not  as  the  result  of  profound  study,  but 
by  accepting  the  promptings  of  his  own  generous  and  manly  nature,  and 
these  seemed  to  lead  him  instinctively  to  correct  decisions. 

We  may  not  claim  for  him  great  genius  or  brilliant  achievements  as  a 
soldier  or  statesman.  He  had  neither  the  arrogant  pretensions,  the  im 
practicable  theories,  nor  the  infirmities  of  temper  which  are  sometimes 
accepted  as  the  evidences  of  genius,  but  he  had  an  intelligent  compre 
hension  of  the  important  duties  of  American  citizenship,  and  a  sincere 
desire  and  honest  intention  to  advance  the  interests  and  improve  the  con 
dition  of  his  fellow-countrymen.  No  man  ever  dared  to  attempt  to  in 
fluence  or  control  his  action  by  appeals  to  purely  selfish  motives.  He  was 
always  sanguine  of  the  success  of  any  cause  which  he  advocated,  as  he 
believed  in  the  ultimate  supremacy  of  moral  forces  and  the  final  triumph 
of  right. 

In  emergencies,  and  whenever  uncertain  of  methods  or  results,  he  confi 
dently  asked  for  Divine  guidance,  with  the  firmest  belief  in  the  efHcacy 
of  earnest  praver.  His  unaffected  simplicity  of  manner,  his  kindness  of 
heart,  and  his  spirit  of  broad,  catholic  charity  for  the  unfortunate  and 
the  suffering  endeared  him  to  all. 

I  should   do  an   injustice  to  the  general's  memory  if  I  should  fail  to 


432  GEAr.   AMBROSE  E.   BURNSIDE. 

allude  to  his  attractive  social  qualities.  These  were  best  understood  and 
appreciated  by  the  wide  circle  of  friends  who  were  permitted  to  enjoy  the 
delightful  companionship  of  his  home,  with  its  warmth  of  welcome  and 
genial  intercourse,  and  with  its  bountiful  and  gracious  hospitality;  but  a 
much  wider  circle  will  remember  the  cordial  grasp  of  the  hand,  and  the 
kind  words  with  which  he  invariably  greeted  those  with  whom  he  was 
brought  in  contact. 

The  hour  dedicated  to  the  memory  and  worth  of  our  dear  friend,  who 
was  so  recently  full  of  vitality  and  hope,  and  now  has  left  the  scenes  of 
his  earthlv  pleasures  and  friendships  forever,  is  drawing  to  a  close,  and 
as  we  speak  the  final  words  we  realize  how  powerless  is  human  agency  to 
mitigate  our  sorrow. 

We  mav  hereafter  find  much  consolation  in  contemplating  the  record 
made  to-day  of  his  useful  and  honorable  life.  That  his  good  name  and 
example  will  be  cherished  by  those  who  knew  him  best,  is  amply  attested 
by  many  instances  of  their  devotion  to  his  memory.  On  the  day  preced 
ing  his  funeral  half  of  our  population  crowded  through  the  portals  of  the 
Citv  Hall,  in  Providence,  with  bowed  heads  and  tearful  eyes,  to  look  for 
the  last  time  on  his  familiar  features.  His  own  loved  and  trusted  vet 
erans,  the  bravest  and  best  of  Rhode  Island's  sons,  who  tenderly  guarded 
his  mortal  remains  from  the  hour  of  his  death  until  the  earth  closed  over 
them,  have  taken  steps  to  have  his  manly  presence  reproduced  in  endur 
ing  bronze,  to  adorn  the  busy  streets  of  our  principal  city.  He  was  lov 
ingly  borne,  with  imposing  honors,  to  his  last  resting-place  by  the  State 
of  his  adoption,  who  now  proudly  claims  his  fame  and  his  ashes  as  her 
own. 

I  move  the  adoption  of  the  pending  resolutions. 

The  PRESIDENT,  pro  tempore.  The  question  is  on  the  adoption  of  the 
resolutions  presented  bv  the  senior  Senator  from  Rhode  Island  (Mr. 
Anthony). 

The  resolutions  were  agreed  to  unanimouslv ;  and  (at  two  o'clock  and 
twenty-one  minutes,  p.  M.)  the  Senate  adjourned. 


CHAPTER   XLII. 


EULOGIES  DELIVERED  ON  GENERAL  BURNSIDE  IX  THE  HOUSE  OF 
REPRESENTATIVES,  BY  THE  HON.  JONATHAN  CHACE  AND 
THE  HON.  HENRY  J.  SPOONER,  OF  RHODE  ISLAND. 

IN  the  House  of  Representatives,  on  the  24th  of  Janu 
ary,  1882,  the  resolutions  passed  by  the  Senate  on  the 
death  of  Ambrose  E.  Burnside,  late  a  Senator  from 
Rhode  Island,  were  received  and  read.     The  Hon.  Jona 
than   Chace,   senior  member  of  the    House   from    Rhode 
Island,    then   submitted   the   following   resolutions,   which 
were  read  from  the  clerk's  desk  : 

Resolved,  That  the  House  of  Representatives  has  received  with  pro 
found  sorrow  the  announcement  of  the  death  of  Hon.  Ambrose  E.  Burn- 
side,  late  a  United  States  Senator  from  the  State  of  Rhode  Island. 

Resolved,  That  the  business  of  the  House  be  now  suspended,  that  op 
portunity  may  be  given  for  fitting  tributes  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased 
and  to  his  eminent  public  and  private  virtues  ;  and  that,  as  a  further  mark 
of  respect,  the  House,  at  the  conclusion  of  such  remarks,  shall  adjourn. 

Mr.  Chace  then  addressed  the  House  as  follows  : 

Mr.  Speaker  :  Recognizing  the  eminent  fitness  of  Congress  placing  upon 
record  some  memorial  of  those  whose  names  have  been  stricken  from  the 
roll  of  either  house  by  the  hand  of  death  ;  in  deference  to  the  common 
sentiment  of  the  people  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  ;  and  impelled  also  by 
my  own  feelings  of  personal  loss,  I  submit  these  resolutions.  Few  men 
have  been  more  fortunate  than  was  Ambrose  E.  Burnside ;  few  more  hon- 
28 


434 


LIFE   AND   PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 


ored.  Few  have  bound  to  themselves  their  friends  with  stronger  ties  than 
he  ;  to  few  have  come  greater  opportunities.  Upon  few  have  rested  greater 
responsibilities  in  life,  and  rarely  has  any  public  man  discharged  the  trust 
laid  upon  him  more  happily  or  more  successfully.  It  was  my  privilege 
to  know  Senator  Burnside  for  many  years,  never  without  respect  and  es 
teem  ;  of  latter  time  it  grew  into  a  sincere  feeling  of  friendship  and  regard. 
Widely  separated  as  we  were  in  sentiment  and  belief  in  regard  to  some 
points,  there  was  always  in  him  a  gentle  forbearance  of  feeling,  a  kindlv 
consideration  towards  those  who  differed  from  him,  that  could  not  fail  to 
challenge  the  warmest  response.  It  is  a  pleasure,  therefore,  to  emulate 
the  broad  charity,  of  which  he  set  us  so  eminent  an  example,  and  in  niv 
feeble  way  pay  a  few  brief  words  of  honest  tribute  to  the  many  noble 
qualities  of  his  head  and  heart.  He  was  a  soldier,  and  I  opposed  to  all 
war;  yet  we  were  friends,  for  well  we  knew  that 

"  Dimly  in  the  present  view 
We  see  the  truth." 

Much  of  General  Burnside's  fame  rests  upon  his  military  achievements, 
upon  his  command  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps  and  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  during  the  Rebellion.  It  will  not  be  expected  that  I  shall  speak 
of  his  military  career.  That  I  shall  pass  over,  holding,  as  he  knew  I  did, 
that  war  is  unjustifiable;  that  under  the  teachings  of  the  New  Testament 
it  is  not  right  to  take  human  life  under  any  circumstances;  that  "peace 
unweaponed  conquers  every  wrong." 

Had  Burnside  died  under  ordinarv  circumstances,  the  feelings  of  the 
people  would  have  found  much  greater  expression.  His  death  came  when 
the  Nation  was  holding  sad  vigil  at  the  bedside  of  its  stricken  President; 
while  hope  was  struggling  with  fear;  while  all  hearts  were  deeply  touched 
with  the  noble  courage  and  heroic  patience  with  which  our  Chief  Magis 
trate  battled  for  life.  The  Nation  was  in  anguish.  In  the  midst  of  this 
season,  so  full  of  sorrow  and  grief,  while  the  hands  of  fifty  millions  would 
fain  have  been  put  forth  to  wrestle  with  the  angel  of  death  and  avert 
the  impending  sorrow,  Rhode  Island  was  called  upon  to  part  with  her 
favorite  son. 

Death  found  him  alone,  with  no  loving  hands  save  those  of  trusted 
and  faithful  servants,  to  soothe  his  last  moments.  Although  the  ties 
of  kinship  brought  no  mourner,  his  was  not  a  tearless  funeral.  The  State, 
in  the  person  of  its  governor, -was  his  chief  mourner,  and  thousands,  with 
unfeigned  sorrow,  followed  his  bier  to  the  grave. 

In  person  he  was  large  of  stature,  commanding  in  form,  with  a  face, 
blending  manly  beauty  and  rugged  strength,  surmounted  by  a  noble  brow. 
With  a  most  contagious  smile,  nature  lent  a  graceful  charm  to  every  lin 
eament.  "  His  eye,  turned  even  on  empty  space,  beamed  keen  with 


GEiV.   AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 


435 


honor."  Physically  his  was  a  rare  combination  of  that  which  is  noble 
and  lovable.  With  the  voice  of  a  stentor,  that  could  compass  the  largest 
audience,  yet  finely  modulated  to  the  gentlest  emotion;  open,  frank,  and 
genial  in  manner;  industrious,  patient,  and  forceful;  with  a  rare  self-con 
trol;  bold  as  a  lion,  yet  gentle  as  a  woman,  and  kindly  thoughtful  ot 
others, —  what  wonder  that  men  loved  him.  Rising  from  an  humble  posi 
tion  and  trained  for  a  military  life,  he  attained  eminence  as  a  civilian. 
Thrice  elected  governor  of  the  State  and  twice  to  the  United  States  Sen 
ate,  honoring  himself  and  his  constituents  in  each  position,  his  life  is 
another  illustration  of  the  blessings  of  our  form  of  government  and  the 
great  opportunities  of  American  citizenship. 

He  was  a  wise  and  successful  legislator.  Making  no  pretensions  to 
the  arts  of  oratory,  he  had  a  straightforward  manner  of  expressing  him 
self,  unadorned  with  rhetorical  ornament,  which  reached  the  judgment  of 
his  hearers.  His  distinguishing  characteristics  were  a  faithfulness  to 
trusts  and  an  exalted  sense  of  honor.  This  was  nobly  shown  by  his  as 
suming  the  responsibility  of  the  failure  at  Fredericksburg.  The  defeat 
of  the  Union  army  had  depressed  the  spirits  of  the  loyal  men  in  the  North, 
encouraging  and  emboldening  those  who  sought  the  overthrow  of  the 
government  to  redouble  their  outcries  against  the  administration,  {hat 
the  President  was  improperly  interfering  with  the  command  of  the  army. 
The  dark  shadows  around  Lincoln's  eyes,  those  furrowed  lines  on  his 
sad  and  careworn  face,  increased  in  depth.  Discontent  was  heard  on 
every  side.  It  was  a  time  when  a  little  soul  would  hide  itself  to  escape 
blame.  Not  so  Burnside.  "  For  the  failure  I  am  responsible,"  wrote 
he.  That  was  moral  heroism.  Men  who  would  face  physical  danger 
without  blanching  would  hesitate  'here.  Men  will  brave  danger,  will 
patiently  endure  suffering  for  the  plaudits  of  the  public,  but  few  rise  to 
the  noble  self-renunciation  which  lie  displayed  by  taking  to  himself  dis 
credit  for  his  country's  good.  Holding  strong  convictions  on  questions 
of  public  policy,  believing  in  party  organization  for  the  promotion  of 
the  public  weal,  he  yet  sunk  the  partisan  in  the  patriot.  As  a  legislator, 
urging  with  earnestness  such  measures  as  commended  themselves  to  his 
judgment,  the  differences  of  view  which  are  inevitable  among  men  did 
not  with  him  abate  the  warmth  of  personal  friendship. 

"He  cherished  large  faith  in  humankind."  He  rose  above  the  strife  of 
political  campaigns,  the  contests  of  party  cabal,  and  with  cheerful  greet 
ing  for  opponents  and  supporters,  pressed  on  with  those  measures  which 
he  believed  would  promote  the  material  interests  of  the  country, 
strengthen  that  which  is  pure,  educate  and  enlighten  the  people  and 
lead  them  up  to  higher  aspirations  for  the  promotion  of  peace,  for  the 
extinguishment  of  sectionalism,  the  strengthening  of  friendship  among 
states  and  peoples,  for  a  pure  administration  of  justice  and  the  preserva- 


436  LIFE  AND  PUBLIC    SERVICES    OF 

tion  forever  of  the  liberties  of  the  people.  Such  was  Burnside.  Great, 
because  he  was  faithful  and  true  according  to  his  light. 

"  His  strength  was  as  the  strength  of  ten, 
Because  his  heart  was  pure." 

A  warrior  who  gloried  less  in  feats  of  arms  than  in  the  substantial  tri 
umphs  of  the  arts  of  peace.  A  legislator  imbued  with  a  high  apprecia 
tion  of  the  value  of  the  institutions  handed  down  to  us  by  our  fathers; 
inspired  with  a  lofty  sense  of  the  responsibility  AVC  are  under  to  preserve 
and  transmit  them  unimpaired  to  posteritv.  A  faithful  friend,  a  loving 
husband,  the  charm  of  the  social  circle,  cut  down  at  the  commencement 
of  a  senatorial  term,  and  in  the  full  tide  of  a  splendid  manhood. 

Life  is  not  measured  by  years,  but  by  acts.  It  is  not  the  rolling  seasons, 
but  entries  by  the  recording  angel  of  great  and  noble  deeds;  not  the  daily 
returning  sun,  but  the  repetition  of  those  graceful  ministrations  which 
bring  light  to  many  hearts,  that  tale  the  life  of  man.  Measured  by  this 
standard,  the  life  of  our  friend  was  a  full  one.  The  body  has  perished 
as  "  a  fig  tree  casteth  her  untimely  figs  when  shaken  of  a  mighty  wind  ;  " 

but 

"All  that  is  real  now  remaineth, 
And  fadeth  never." 

The  last  speaker  in  the  House  of  Representatives  was 
the  junior  member  from  Rhode  Island,  Col.  Henry  J. 
Spooner,  who  had  served  under  General  Burnside  in  the 
gallant  "Ninth  Corps."  Said  he  : 

Mr.  Speaker:  The  sudden  death  of  Senator  Burnside,  which  has  been 
so  properly  recognized  as  a  national  affliction,  overwhelmed  the  people 
of  Rhode  Island  in  a  great  common  sorrow. 

Burnside  was  of  the  foremost  of  our  most  eminent  men,  and  held  the 
largest  share  in  the  affections  of  our  people.  His  commanding  form 
was  the  most  familiar  figure  in  our  State;  his  presence  in  any  public 
gathering  always  evoked  the  heartiest  greeting;  his  name  was  a  "  house 
hold  word,"  mentioned  with  respect  in  every  Rhode  Island  home.  Thou 
sands  of  my  fellow-citizens  had  followed  him  through  the  varying  for 
tunes  of  his  campaigns,  from  Bull  Run  to  Petersburg,  and  had  learned 
to  appreciate  his  manly  virtues  where,  in  fidelity  to  a  common  cause, 
friendships  were  welded  in  the  fierce  fire  of  battle.  We  all  loved  and 
honored  him,  not  less  for  the  noble  and  endearing  traits  of  his  character 
than  for  his  illustrious  public  services  and  achievements,  and  mourned 
his  loss  as  the  saddest  bereavement. 

We  had  recognized  no  indications  of  the  approach  of  the  dread  mes- 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURNS  IDE. 


437 


senger:  he  came  unheralded  and  unannounced.  But  the  day  before  his 
death  Senator  Burnside  was  mingling  with  our  people,  engaged  in  his 
ordinary  occupations,  in  the  apparent  enjoyment  of  his  usual  health,  and 
in  the  full  maturity  of  his  powers.  Neither  age  nor  disease  had  impaired 
his  faculties  nor  seemingly  diminished  the  vigor  of  his  robust  manhood, 
and  a  long  career  of  increasing  usefulness  to  the  Nation  and  his  State 
seemed  open  before  him.  Secure  in  the  confidence  and  affections  of  our 
people;  adorned  with  all  the  dignities  and  honors  which  they  could  be 
stow;  just  entering,  at  their  repeated  call,  upon  his  second  term  as 
United  States  Senator;  trusted,  honored,  and  beloved  by  the  Nation  as 
few  other  men  ever  have  been,  his  future  seemed  radiant  with  brilliant 
promise  and  honorable  possibilities.  Yet  the  insidious  destroyer,  unsus 
pected  and  unrecognized,  had  crept  within  the  portals  of  his  life;  and 
even  preceding  the  knowledge  of  his  illness  came  the  shocking  tidings  — 
Burnside  is  dead!  - 

Although  a  native  of  another  State.  Senator  Burnside  had  long  been  a 
citizen  of  Rhode  Island  and  largely  concerned  in  her  affairs  in  both  pri 
vate  and  public  capacities.  Educated  at  West  Point  and  serving  with 
gallantry  in  the  United  States  Army,  he  had,  prior  to  the  war  of  the  Re 
bellion,  been  a  distinguished  citizen  of  our  State,  and  had  been  identified 
with  and  in  command  of  our  State  militia,  and  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war 
in  1861  was  naturally  selected  as  the  colonel  of  our  "  First  Rhode  Island," 
that  regiment,  composed  of  the  best  of  our  patriotic  sons,  which,  rushing 
to  the  defense  of  the  Union  cause,  was  among  the  first  to  report  for  duty 
at  the  Nation's  capital. 

I  refrain  from  unnecessary  reference  to  that  great  struggle;  for  the 
record  and  the  results,  familiar  to  all,  illumine  the  pages  of  our  country's 
history,  and  live  and  are  perpetuated  in  our  customs  and  our  institutions, 
in  our  Constitution  and  our  laws.  And  I  scarcely  need  to  recall  how 
prominent  a  part  in  the  historic  events  of  that  critical  period  in  our 
national  existence  was  enacted  by  our  late  Senator. 

The  war  for  the  Union,  involving,  as  it  did,  issues  of  greater  magni 
tude  and  importance  than  had  ever  before  been  submitted  to  the  arbitra 
ment  of  arms  —  the  supremacy  of  law,  the  honor  of  our  flag,  the  very 
life  of  the  Republic  —  aroused,  as  no  less  cause  could,  all  that  earnest 
patriotism,  fidelity,  and  devotion  to  country  and  to  duty  which  were 
among  the  stronger  traits  of  Burnside's  character. 

His  allegiance  and  his  best  services,  during  those  unhappy  years  of  civil 
strife,  were  constant,  zealous,  and  unquestioning. 

He  fully  recognized  the  necessity  of  that  most  positive  of  military 
laws,  that  to  the  superior  belongs  command,  to  the  subordinate  unhesitat 
ing  obedience,  and  cheerfully  submitted  to  its  requirements.  It  was  for 
the  government  to  command  his  service,  as  and  where  it  should  be  re- 


LIFE  AND   PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 

quired;  it  was  for  him  to  serve,  irrespective  of  personal  preferences; 
and  so  we  find  him  all  through  his  military  career  and  in  every  field  of 
duty,  whether  as  a  subordinate  or  in  high  or  independent  command,  ever 
the  same  conscientious,  faithful,  patriot-soldier,  forgetful  of  self  and  re 
gardless  of  personal  advantage,  bending  his  best  ability  and  energy 
toward  the  successful  prosecution  of  the  great  cause  in  which  he  was 
enlisted. 

I  do  not  wish  to  be  understood  to  say  that  Burnside  was  without  ambi 
tion,  for  I  believe  he  was  unusually  imbued  with  that  loftiest  of  all 
ambitions  —  a  determination  to  perform  his  duty  thoroughly  and  well; 
and  that  he  highly  valued  the  appreciative  and  just  approbation  of  his 
fellow-men,  and  the  rank  and  station  which  are  the  insignia  of  its  recog 
nition.  It  might  perhaps  have  saved  the  country  from  years  of  desolat 
ing  war.  with  the  attendant  expenditure  of  treasure  and  of  blood,  had 
more  of  our  general  officers  possessed  in  like  degree  a  similar  unselfish 
ambition. 

I  will  not  at  this  time,  and  upon  this,  perhaps,  unfitting  occasion,  pause 
to  argue  or  consider  the  comparative  position  which  should  be  assigned 
to  Burnside  among  the  great  generals  of  our  times.  I  apprehend  that 
the  calm,  dispassionate  investigation  of  history  will  accord  to  him  the 
high  position  to  which  he  is  entitled  in  the  temple  of  fame,  and  will 
point  the  moral  of  his  heroic  life,  his  lofty  purposes,  and  of  his  dis 
tinguished  and  honorable  achievements.  Yet,  with  the  vivid  recollections 
which  these  thoughts  recall  of  that  service  which  I  had  the  honor  to 
share  under  his  command,  I  would  unfaithfully  represent  my  comrades  of 
the  "  Old  Ninth  Army  Corps  "  did  I  fail  to  testify  to  the  mutual  confi 
dence,  affection,  and  esteem  which  alwavs  existed  between  them  and  their 
commanding  general.  No  officer  could  have  been  more  thoughtful  and 
considerate  for  those  of  every  rank  and  station  under  his  command  than 
was  General  Burnside,  and  none,  I  believe,  ever  inspired  his  officers  and 
men  with  such  universal  devotion  and  veneration  for  their  commanding 
general.  I  know  of  no  other  general  in  the  Union  army  who  so  com 
pletely  held  the  unquestioning  confidence  and  affection  of  his  men. 
To  them  his  presence  was  an  inspiration  ;  his  smile  almost  a  benediction. 
Wherever  they  may  have  served  under  him,  whether  in  his  regiment,  his 
brigade,  or  his  illustrious  "  Old  Ninth  Army  Corps,"  his  surviving  com 
rades,  while  dropping  bitter  tears  over  his  grave,  recall  with  just  pride 
the  recollection  and  the  record  of  their  service  with  Major-General 
Burnside. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  war,  modestly  wearing  the  honors  he  had  won, 
General  Burnside  resumed  his  residence  in  Rhode  Island,  where,  in  the 
following  year,  he  was  elected  governor  of  the  State,  an  office  which  he 
filled  during  three  successive  years,  by  as  many  successive  elections,  to  his 
own  honor  and  the  high  satisfaction  of  our  people. 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 


439 


In  1874  he  was  the  choice  of  Rhode  Island  for  United  States  Senator; 
and,  having  completed  his  first  term  with  credit  and  distinction,  and  won 
the  just  commendation  of  our  State  for  the  earnestness,  care,  and  dis 
crimination  with  which  he  performed  the  duties  of  his  office  and  dis 
charged  every  trust  committed  to  his  care,  was,  in  iSSo,  reelected  to  his 
seat  in  the  United  States  Senate,  and  had  scarcely  entered  upon  his  second 
term  at  the  time  of  his  sudden  and  seemingly  untimely  death. 

He  fell  in  the  ripeness  of  his  fame,  adorned  with  the  honors  showered 
upon  him  by  a  grateful  people,  leaving  them  the  legacy  of  a  noble  life, 
an  illustrious  career,  and  an  honorable  example. 

His  comrades  of  the  war,  the  people,  his  State,  and  the  Nation  mourn 
his  loss,  and  will  vainly  seek  to  fill  the  place  in  their  councils  and  their 
hearts  left  vacant  by  his  death. 

If  he  had  faults  or  weaknesses,  they  were  in  his  excessive  generosity, 
his  open-hearted  frankness,  his  amiability  of  temper,  his  wonderful  un 
selfishness,  his  splendid  magnanimity. 

I  think  I  may  justly  assert  his  only  faults  sprang  from  the  development 
of  his  illustrious  virtues. 

He  has  gone  to  his  reward,  and  I  feel  sure  that  the  Great  Arbiter  of 
the  universe  will  deal  tenderly  with  that  great  spirit  in  which  those  who 
knew  him  most  intimately  could  find  no  guile. 

Although,  in  proportion  to  her  small  population  and  limited  territory, 
Rhode  Island  has  furnished  many  names  of  great  men  and  distinguished 
heroes  to  decorate  the  pages  of  our  country's  history,  there  is  no  name 
upon  that  illustrious  roll  which  she  more  affectionately  and  confidently 
commits  to  the  appreciative  consideration  of  posterity  than  that  of  her 
favorite  and  honored  son,  Ambrose  Everett  Burnside. 

Mr.  Speaker,  I  move  the  adoption  of  the  resolutions. 

The  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted  ;  and  accordingly,  at  four 
o'clock  and  fifteen  minutes,  P.  M.,  the  House  adjourned. 


«*J  * 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 


CONCLUDING  ESTIMATE  OF  GENERAL  BURXSIDE'S  MILITARY  CA 
REER,  LEGISLATIVE  ABILITY,  PUBLIC  SPEECHES,  AND  PRIVATE 
LIFE. 

IT  has  been  a  difficult  task  to  comprise  within  limited 
bounds  the  story  of  General  Burnside's  eventful  life. 
An   industrious   mechanic,    a  gallant   soldier,   a  wise 
governor,  and  a  useful  Senator,  he  was  a  glorious  type  of 
a  citizen  of  the  United  States.     Endowed  by  nature  with 
a  gracious  presence,  an  indomitable  will,  great  tenacity  of 
purpose,   and   an   indefatigable   industry,    he  was   always 
ready  to  perform  any  assigned  duty. 

His  military  career  has  been  severely  criticised,  but  a 
close  examination  of  it  will  show  that,  when  not  obstructed 
by  others,  and  when  cordially  supported  by  his  subordi 
nates,  he  was  entitled  to  rank  with  the  great  generals  of 
the  war  for  the  suppression  of  the  Rebellion.  Had  he 
found,  on  his  arrival  at  Fredericksburg,  the  pontoons  which 
had  been  promised  him,  and  had  he  received  a  loyal  sup 
port  when  he  moved  on  the  enemy's  works  there,  he  would 
have  redeemed  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  from  the  rep 
utation  fof  inaction  which  it  had  received  ;  in  his  North 


GEN.    AMBROSE   E.    BURNSIDE. 

Carolina  campaign,  organized  and  carried  on  without  in 
terference  from  Washington,  he  displayed  great  energy 
and  good  generalship  ;  his  occupation  of  East  Tennessee, 
culminating  in  his  gallant  defense  of  Knoxville  against  the 
dashing  attacks  of  Longstreet's  corps,  displayed  remark 
able  intrepidity,  intelligence,  and  military  skill ;  the  ad 
vance  of  his  command  up  the  slope  of  South  Mountain, 
fighting  as  they  went,  was.  unquestionably  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  events  of  the  war  ;  had  he  been  permitted  to  direct 
the  assault  at  Petersburg,  after  the  explosion  of  the  mine, 
there  is  the  high  opinion  of  General  Grant  that  "  it  would 
have  been  a  success."  But,  above  all,  with  a  courage 
higher  than  that  of  battle,  he  assumed  responsibilities 
which  belonged  to  others,  and  he  displayed  a  soldierly 
subordination,  and  an  absence  of  selfish  ambition,  by  serv 
ing,  without  murmuring,  under  a  commander  whom  he 
ranked. 

As  a  legislator,  General  Burnside  exercised  a  greater 
influence  on  the  work  of  the  Senate,  through  his  earnest 
ness,  integrity,  and  good  sense,  than  many  others  whose 
remarks  occupy  a  far  greater  space  than  his  in  the  Con 
gressional  Record.  When  he  spoke,  he  \vent,  as  was 
said  of  Wellington  in  the  British  House  of  Peers,  straight 
at  his  mark,  and  never  missed  a  bull's-eye.  His  oratory 
was,  indeed,  deficient  in  the  higher  flights  of  rhetoric,  but 
it  accurately  reflected  the  practical  character  of  his  mind, 
and  if  some  of  his  sentences  were  rough  hewn  from  the 
block  of  his  common  sense,  his  auditors  forgot  their  un 
polished  aspect  in  their  deep  sense  of  the  value  of  the 
quarry.  When  forced  into  a  debate  by  any  of  the  numer 
ous  lawyers  in  the  Senate  Chamber,  a  Spartan  defending 
himself  and  his  country  against  Athenian  orators  could 
not  have  developed  a  more  strongly-marked  idiosyncrasy 


442 


LIFE  AND  PUBLIC   SERVICES    OF 


or  a  more  signal  difference  of  culture,  thought,  and  lan 
guage.  Mistaken  at  first  "for  a  blunt  soldier,  and  no  more," 
it  was  not  supposed  that  he  could  sustain  himself  against 
those  "  learned  in  the  law  "arrayed  against  him,  but  in  those 
displays  of  dialectics  which  occupy  so  many  pages  of  con 
gressional  debate,  the  results  belie  these  expectations. 
The  general  (like  another  great  soldier  of  old),  settled 
the  affair  by  cutting  the  knot,  and  carried  the  day  against 
the  most  refined  oratorical  art,  and  the  most  inquisitive  of 
cross-examinations,  by  simply  saying  his  say  and  mean 
ing  what  he  said. 

In  his  speeches  before  public  assemblages,  many  speci 
mens  of  which  are  given  in  the  preceding  pages,  his 
thoughts  took  the  shape  of  axioms,  maxims,  ascertained 
principles,  and  fixed  conclusions.  The  utter  absence  of 
all  oratorical  display  or  desire  for  exhibition  lent  an  ad 
ditional  force  to  what  he  said.  His  thorough  personal 
identity  with  the  people  was  his  chief  source  of  success. 
There  was  a  vigorousness  common  to  both  thoughts  and 
words,  with  an  abruptness  and  positiveness,  which  was 
admired  as  "  pluck,"  yet  he  was  no  master  in  the  arts  of 
the  cunning  demagogue.  As  a  servant  of  the  State  of 
Rhode  Island,  in  peace  or  in  war,  the  meed  of  his  am 
bition  was  full ;  and  her  praise  or  her  blame  stirred  his 
heart  more  than  the  opinion  of  all  the  world  beside. 

It  is  difficult  to  speak  of  the  private  life  of  one  who  had 
so  entirely  become  public  property,  but  he  had  a  domestic 
character  wholly  distinct  from  that  which  he  externally 
presented  to  the  world.  As  a  soldier,  and  as  a  statesman, 
no  other  American  was  so  well  known,  and  he  received 
and  responded  to  the  admiration  and  even  the  curiosity  of 
the  public,  with  great  good  nature.  Whenever  he  passed 
through  a  crowd  his  path  might  be  traced  by  the  turned 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURN  SIDE. 


443 


faces  and  gazing  eyes  of  men,  women,  and  children.  The 
wealthy  and  the  poor  —  the  highest  class  of  society  and  the 
lowest  —  made  public  obeisance  to  him  as  he  passed, 
while  occasionally  a  veteran  who  had  served  under  him 
would  step  up  to  grasp  his  hand.  Courtly  in  his  manners, 
scrupulously  neat  in  his  attire,  and  somewhat  punctilious  in 
matters  of  etiquette,  he  was  a  favorite  in  what  is  known  as 
"  society,"  but  the  mechanics  and  farmers  of  his  neighbor 
hood  found  him  cordial,  friendly,  and  at  times  jocular  in 
his  intercourse  with  them.  Always  fond  of  children,  the 
"  little  people  "  paid  him  an  involuntary  tribute  by  being 
fond  of  him.  He  was  the  very  soul  of  grace,  of  gentle 
ness,  and  of  hope  ;  and  kindness  was  the  means  to  his  ends. 
His  consideration  for  other  people  —  the  proudest  and  the 
humblest — was  courteous  and  charitable,  with  an  excuse 
for  every  fault,  and  forgiveness  for  almost  every  wrong. 
No  sacrifice  of  time,  labor,  thought,  money,  or  responsi 
bility  seemed  too  great  when  he  could  make  it  in  promot 
ing  the  happiness  of  others. 

"  Twin  column  of  the  State, 
In  fight  Achilles,  Nestor  in  debate, 
Whose  mind  was  virtue's  poise,  whom  no  success 
Might  dazzle,  no  adversity  depress, 
No  bribe  allure,  no  artifice  betray, 
No  labor  tire,  when  duty  showed  the  way, 
No  danger  daunt  and  no  renown  elate; 
His  fate  soared  high,  his  soul  outsoared  his  fate. 
A  youth  as  fresh  as  his  first  laurels  were 
He  gave  his  country;  and  his  silver  hair 
Honored  the  brows  of  service,  brows  that  caught 
Thro'  near  an  age  no  shade  of  selfish  thought: 
The  earliest  beam  that  on  his  pathway  crossed 
Beheld  him  where  night  found  him, —  at  his  post. 
Death  but  promotes  him  ;  all  that  could  decline 
Of  his  most  honored  being  was  —  its  dust ; 
He  never  dies  who  holds  his  life  a  trust." 


444 


GEN.    AMBROSE  E.    BURN  SIDE. 


General  Burnside's  name  and  fame  will  live  while  the 
recollection  of  the  great  historic  events  in  which  he  was  so 
prominent  an  actor  remain.  The  country  cannot  forget 
him,  and  the  people  whom  he  so  devotedly  served  will 
cherish  the  memory  of  his  labors  in  their  behalf  while  life 
shall  last.  Gallant  Soldier !  Honored  Patriot !  True 
Statesman  !  Generous  Friend  !  Farewell  ! 


INDEX. 


Abbott,  Senator,  281. 
Altlrich,  Senator  Xelson  \V.,  430. 
Alleghanies,  crossing  the,  47. 
Americans  in  Mexico,  54. 
Ancestry,  18-25. 
Andrew  Burnside,  21. 
Annapolis,  96,  123,  226,  230. 
Anthony,  Senator,  313,388. 
Antietam,  169,  171.  177,316. 
Apaches,  The,  60.  64.  69. 
Appomattox  Court  House,  263. 
Apprenticeship,  28,  29. 
Acquia  Creek,  158. 
Armstrong's  Dragoons,  119. 
Army,  German,  285-294. 
Army  Reunion,  295. 
Arnold's  Battery,  119. 
Arthur,  President,  390. 

Balch,  Major,  114. 

Ballon,  Major,  115. 

Balloon  Observations,  106. 

Bands,  Military,  336. 

Barber,  The  Cadet,  39,  40. 

Bargain,  Political.  373-381. 

Barnes,  Dr.,  386.  388. 

Barney,  General  C.  II.,  400. 

Barrv,  Major,  117. 

Bartfett,  John  Russell,  67,  274. 

Bartow,  Fort,  130. 

Base,  Change  of,  333. 

Battle-fields,  Revolutionary,  367,  368. 

Bayard,  Senator,  313. 

Beaufort.  144,  145. 

Beauregard,  General,  105,  116. 

Beck,  Senator,  379. 

Belknap,  General.  323. 

Benny  Havens  at  West  Point,  41. 

Bereavement,  Domestic,  322,  323. 

Bishop,  Mary  Richmond,  77. 

Bishop,  Mrs.,  394. 


Bismarck,  Count,  287,  288,  289. 

Blackboard,  Demonstrations  on  the,  44,  45. 

Blind,  Education  of  the,  345. 

Bragg.  General,  216. 

Bragg's  Batterv,  57,  59,  60. 

Bramard,  Dr.  Daniel,  226. 

Bramlett,  Governor.  313. 

Breech-loading  Rifle,  72,  73,  76,  78,  83-87, 
102. 

Bribe  Demanded,  87. 

Bristol,  305,  391. 

Bristol  Rifle' NVorks,  78,  87. 

Brooks,  General,  200. 

Brown  &  Ives,  379. 

Brown  University,  122,  257,  317. 

Bruce,  Senator,  314. 

Buchanan,  President,  90. 

Buckingham,  General,  178. 

Buckner,  General,  216,  272,  273. 

Buell.  General,  124. 

Bull  Run,  104,  nt. 

Bunker  Hill  Celeoration,  319. 

Burns,  General.  178. 

Burnside,  Acceptance  of  Cadet  Appoint 
ment,  34. 

Burnside  Apprenticed  as  a  Tailor,  28. 

Burnside  Landed  at  VeraCruz,  53. 

Burnside,  Mrs.,  77,  323. 

Butler,  General  B.  F.,  124. 

Butler,  Senator,  377,  380. 

Cadets,  Colored,  358. 
Campbell  Station,  218. 
Cemetery  Hill,  237. 
Cemetery,  Swan  Point,  409. 
Centreville,  109. 
Chace.  Jonathan,  433. 
Chandler,  Senator.  281. 
Character,  Analysis  of,  346. 
Charge  Columns,  196. 
Chicago,  88. 


446 


INDEX. 


Chickamauga,  216. 

Cincinnati,  204,  209,  222. 

City  Hall,  Providence,  394. 

Claims,  War,  273. 

Clam-bakes,  Rhode  Island,  59,  320. 

Clark,  Right  Reverend  Bishop,  96. 

Class  of  1847,  at  West  Point,  35-45. 

Coast  Division,  123. 

Coatzocoalcos,  Steamer,  96. 

Cochrane,  General  John,  zoo. 

Cold  Harbor,  229. 

Cold  Harbor,  Battle  of,  232,  233. 

Committee  Service,  314. 

Compromise  Exposed,  326. 

Conde,  Gen.  P.  D.,  67. 

Congressional  Committee,  Report  of,  261- 

263. 

Connections,  Family,  18-25. 
Constituents,  Attention  to,  368. 
Cooking.  Nocturnal,  at  West  Point,  42. 
Couch,  General,  163. 
Court-martial,  78,  79. 
Cox,  General,  165,  167. 
Crawford,  George  W.,  22. 
Crawford,  Peter,  22. 
Crossan,  Jane,  21. 
Cub  Run,  119. 
Cumberland  Gap,  217. 
Cumberland  Mountains,  214. 
Curtis,  Ceorge  William,  250. 

Darien,  Inter-oceanic  Canal,  350. 

Davis,  Jefferson,  118,  148. 

Dawes,  Senator,  314. 

Decoration  Day,  297,  316. 

Defeat  for  Congress.  82. 

Demonstrations,  Political,  258. 

Deportment,  331. 

Desert  Ride,  70. 

Devens,  General  Charles,  295. 

Dixon,  Nathan  F.,  296. 

Duel  between  Burnside  and  Crawford,  22. 

Edenton,  136. 

Edghill  Farm,  304-311,  320,  385,  386. 
Edghill,  Col.  James,  19. 
Edmunds,  Senator,  313. 
Eight-hour  Law,  337. 
Eighth  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  96. 
Electioneering  Address,  Si,  82. 
Elizabeth  City,  136. 
Ellsworth,  Colonel,  SS,  100. 
El  Paso.  67,  69. 
Emigration,  Quaker,  23. 
Everts,  Dr.  Sylvanus,   Family   Physician, 
26. 

Fairfax  Court  House,  109. 

Farm  Life,  256. 

Favre,  Jules,  292. 

Ferrero,  Gen.  Edward,  zoo,  230,  240. 

First  Rhode  Island  Regiment,  The,  93-122, 

279-284,415,417,418,  438. 
Flag  Presentation,  94,  95. 
Forbes,  Alexander,  286. 
Forbes,  Paul,  289. 

Foreign  Relations,  Committee  on,  372. 
Forest,  Fort,  130. 
Forsyth,  General,  287. 
Fort  Adams,  58,  59,  61,  75. 


Fort  Adams,  Burnside  stationed  at,  58. 

Fort  Leavenworth,  71. 

Fort  Sumter,  Attack  on,  92. 

Foster,  Gen.  John  G.,  124,  132,  139,  151,  152, 

220. 
Franklin,   Gen.  W.    B.,    163,  183,  187,    192, 

196,  200. 

Frazer,  General,  217. 
Frederick  City,  163. 
Fredericksburg,  156,  183-199. 
Freedom  of  the  Press,  66. 

Gamblers  on  Steamboats,  48,  50. 

Gambling-Houses,  Mexican,  57. 

Garfield,  President,  371,  372. 

Garfield,  President,  Assassination  of,  385. 

Gibbon,  General,  166. 

Goddard,  Col.  William,  oo,  310,  396. 

Gold-mines,  Norwood,  271. 

Goldsborough,  Commodore  L.  M.,  122,   126. 

Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  295,  306,  320. 

Grant,  General,  211,  218,  229,  231,  236,  237, 

239.  261,  320. 
Greene,  Capt.  Joe,  146. 
Griffin's  Battery,  117,  120. 
Guadaloupe  Hidalgo,  Treaty  of,  67. 

Halleck,  General,  155,  161,  183. 

Hamilton.  Ohio,  73,74,  208. 

Hamlin,  Hannibal,  313. 

Hampton  Roads,  126. 

Hampton,  Senator  Wade,  428. 

Haraldson,  Hugh  A.,  43. 

Harper's  Ferry,  101. 

Harrison,  Senator,  235,  424. 

Hatteras  Inlet,  127. 

Hayes,  Lieut. -Col.  R.  B.,  165. 

Hayes,  President,  325. 

Hayward,  Mayor  William,  389. 

Hazard,  Samuel  F.,  Commander,  126. 

Hazen.  General,  287. 

Heth,  Gen.  Harry,  36,  39.  270,  271. 

Hill.  Senator  Ben.,  328,  375. 

Holloway,  Robert,  70,  136. 

Honors,  "Military  Funeral,  400-409. 

Hooker,  General,  163,  183.  190,  191,  199. 

Horses.  Favorite,  308,  309. 

Humphreys,  General,  189. 

Hunter,  General  David,  107,  114. 

Illinois  Central  Railroad,  89. 
Impeachment,  Court  of,  323. 
Inquiry,  Court  of,  251. 
Investigation,  Congressional,  260. 

ackson,  (Stonewall)  T.  J..  37,  117. 
amaica,  Burnside  Plantations  in,  20. 
amaica,  Tory  Refugees  in,  20,  21. 
ames  Burnside,  19. 
ohnston,  Gen.  Joe.,  116. 
ohnson.  President,  265,  313. 
ones,  Senator,  328. 
oseph  Burnside,  19. 
udges.  Side,  24. 
unction,  The,  97. 

Kentucky,  211-214. 
Kimball,'  Major,  133. 
Kingsbury,  Major  J.  J.  B.,  271-273. 
Kingsbury,  II.  W.,  272,  273. 


INDEX. 


447 


Knnxville,  205,  217.  297-302. 
Knoxville,  Siege  of,  219,  220. 

Lands,  Public,  364,  365. 

Led  ley.  General,  254. 

Lee,  General,  164,  175,  184,  231,  234. 

Legislative  Career,  441,  442. 

Lenoir,  218. 

Lewis,  Dixon  H.,43. 

Lexington,  Kentucky,  211. 

Liberty,  Academy  at,  27. 

Liberty,  Burnside  commences  business  at, 

29. 

Liberty,  first  settlement  of,  23. 
Liberty  made  a  county  seat,  24. 
Lincoln,  President,  97,  122,  136,  154,  160,  162, 

168,  186,  196,  197,  198,  203,  224,  230,  261. 
Littlefield,  Governor  A.  11.,  389,  408. 
Locke,  Rev.  George  L.,  392,  410. 
London,  Visit  to,  285. 
Longstreet,  General,  no,  217,  218,  220. 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  51.  53. 
Loyalists  in  South  Carolina,  19. 
Loyal  Legion,  The,  310,  319. 

McCarty,  Chaplain,  55. 

McClellan,  General,  123,    148,  155,   159,   160, 

167,  169,  173,  175,  180. 
McClellan,  George  B.,  S3. 
McDowell,  General,  93,  107,  113. 
Macon,  Fort,  144-147. 
Manassas,  103. 
Marine  Artillery  Corps,  76. 
Marriage  at  Providence,  77. 
Marston,  General  Oilman,  116. 
Martin,  Colonel,  115. 
Massachusetts,  Eighth,  96. 
Maxey,  Senator,  271,  314,  330. 
Meade,  General,  196,  238,  239,  250,  251. 
Merrill,  Major  George  S.,  400. 
Mexican  Society,  56,  57. 
Mexico,  Marcli  in,  54,  55. 
Military  Career,  440,  441. 
Mine,  Explosion  of  the,  243. 
Monroe  Doctrine,  The,  350-358. 
Morgan,  General,  211. 
Morton,  Senator,  281,  314,  332,  333. 
Mount  Hope  Bay,  305. 
Myers,  John  M.,  73. 
Mytrs  i:    Burnside   commence  business  at 

Liberty,  26,  29. 

Xewbern,  136-142. 

New  Mexico,  60. 

New  Orleans,  53,  89. 

Newport,  Visits  of  Burnside  to,  59. 

Newton,  General  John,  200. 

New  York  Seventh  Regiment,  96. 

Ninth  Corps,  The,  152-163,  284,  309,  390. 

Nomination  to  Congress,  So  82. 

Norris,  Colonel  Samuel,  395. 

Noycs,  Samuel  B..  225. 

Nye,  Senator,  280. 

Officers.  Non-Commissioned,  350. 
Ohio  River,  Traveling  on  the,  48". 
Oliver,  G«n.  II.  K-,  Secretary  of  the  West 
Point  Board  of  Visitors,  43. 

Pall-bearers,  397. 
Pamlico  Souna,  127. 


Parke,  General  John  G.,   124,    132,    139,  209, 

211. 

Paris  Besieged,  292. 
Paris,  Visit  to,  289,  293. 
Patent  Office,  The,  97. 
Patronage,  321. 
Patterson,  General,  100,  105. 
Pegram,  General,  207. 
Pensions,  Payment  of,  366,  367. 
Petersburg,  233,  236-256. 
Pettibone,  A.  H.,  223. 
Pleasanton,  General.  178. 
Pleasants,  Lieutenant-Colonel  H.,  337. 
Plymouth,  136. 
Palfrey,  General,  189. 
Polk.  President,  as  organizer  of   victories 

in  Mexico,  47. 
Pope,  General,  155,  159. 
Porter,  Fitz  John,  160,  172,  362-364. 
Potter,  General,  230,  254. 
Practical  Joke  at  West  Point,  39. 
Presentation,  Sword,  150,  151. 
Press,  Duties  of  the,  300. 
Prince  of  Wales,  The,  293. 
Private  Life  of,  442,  443. 
Proclamation  calling  out  troops,  93. 
Proclamation,  Emancipation,  259. 
Profanity  Cured,  77. 

Providence,  Locomotive  Works  at,  268. 
Providence,  Soldiers  Monument  at,  268,  269. 
Public   Assemblages,  Speeches  before,  442. 
Punch-Bowl  Presentation,  270. 

Quaker  Emigration  to  Indiana,  20. 

Radziminski,  Charles,  69. 

Railroad,  Illinois  Central,  88,  89,  265,  268. 

Railroad,  Martinsville,  265. 

Railroad,  Vincennes,  268,  273,  284,  2Sj. 

Ransom,  Senator,  314. 

Rebecca  Dodson,  18. 

Relatives.  18-35. 

Reno    General  Jesse  L.,   124,   132,   1:9,   163 

165,  168. 

Report  on  Breech-loaders,  85,  86. 
Reynolds' Battery ,  119. 
Rhode  Island,  Elective  Franchise  in,  381. 
Rhode  Island,  Governor  of,  266-274. 
Rhode  Island  Militia,  78.  79. 
Rhodes,  General  E.  H..  400. 
Ricketts' Battery,  117.  120. 
Rites,  Official  funeral,  397-410. 
Roanoke  Island,  130,  132-137. 
Robert  Burnside.  iS,  19. 
Rodman,  General,  139.  174. 
Rogers,  Randolph,  268. 
Ro.-ecrans.  General,  217. 
Rowan,  Commander,  138,  139. 
Russell,  Doctor,  286. 

Saint  Louis,  65,  71. 

San  Antonio,  68. 

Santa  Rita  Del  Cobre.  6-(. 

Schools,  Social  Science  in  the.  368-370. 

Scotch  Immigration  to  South  Carolina,  iS,  28. 

Scott,  Lieutenant-General,  90,  107. 

Saxony,  Prince  George  of.  286. 

Senate,  Election  to,  296,  302,  360. 

Services,  Funeral,  391-396. 

Seward,  Secretary,  97,  122. 


448 

Sharpsburg,  169,316. 
Sheridan,  General,  287. 


Sherman,  General  W.  T.,  124. 

Sherman,  Senator,  314. 

Ship-Canals.  Inter-oceanic,  352-384. 

Sickness.  Final,  388. 

Sigel,  General,  183. 

Slicer,  Rev.  Mr.,  402,  408. 

Slocum,  Colonel,  114,  115. 

Smith.  Caleb   B.,   suggests  appointment  to 

Military  Academy,  31. 
Smith,  General  W.  F.,  200. 
South  Mountain,  165-168. 
Spies,  207. 

Spooner,  Col.  Henry  J..  436. 
Spottsylvania  Court  House,  225.  232. 
Sprague,  \Villiam,  76,  90,  278,  280. 
Springs,  Saratoga,  386. 
Standing  at  West  Point,  38,42,  43,  45. 
Stanley,  Governor,  149. 
Stanton,  Secretary,  179. 
Staples,  Rev.  Carl  ton.  402. 
Steamship  Company,  Xarragansett,  2/VS. 
Steere,  General  W.  II.  P.,  400. 
Stevens,  General  Isaac  I.,  156. 
Stevenson   General,  230. 
Stone  Bridge  at  Antietam,  171. 
Stoneman.  "General,  178. 
Sturges,  Gen.  S.  D.,  178.  200. 
Sumner,  General    183.  iSS,  191,  192. 
Sword  Presentation,  392. 
Sykes,  General,  163. 

Tavlor,  President.  67. 
Telegraphic  Summons,  93. 
Test,  C.  II.,  obtains   appointment  to    Mili 
tary  Academy,  32. 
Tests  of  Breech-loaders,  83,  87. 
Thomas  Burnside,  22. 
Thomas,  General,  98. 
Thompson,  Dr.  J.  H.,  143. 


Times,  Chicago,  210. 
Traveling,  Stage,  47,  48. 
Trochu,  General,  290,  292. 
Troops,  Colored.  240,  241,  242. 
Turner's  Gap,  164. 

Tyler,  John,     appoints   Burnside   to   West 
Point,  32. 

Uniform  of  the  First  Rhode  Island,  93. 
Uniform,  The  West  Point,  38. 
Utahs,  The,  60. 

Yallandigham.  C.  L,..  208-211. 

Yera  Cruz,  General  Burnside  at,  53,  57. 

Viall.  Gen.  Nelson,  400. 

Virginia,  Advance  into,  loS. 

Visitor  to  West  Point,  79  So. 

Von  Moltke,  General,  289. 

Wade,  Senator,  262.  263. 

Wallace,  Major-General,  204. 

Warren,  Fitz  Henry,  105. 

Warren,  Fort,  210. 

Warren,  General.  256. 

Washburne,  Minister.  290,  202. 

Whcaton,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  115. 

Whig,   Knoxvillc.  219. 

\Vhipple,  General    178. 

Wilderness.  Battle  of  the,  232. 

Willcox,  General,  230. 

Wilson.  Senator,  110. 

Wise.  Capt.  O.  J.,  134. 

Witness,  Contumacious.  325. 

Woodlniry,  General.  187. 

Woodbury,  Rev.  Augustus,  30,  97,  105,  182, 

276,  295.  310.  402,  409. 
World,  New  York,  210. 

Yacht,  Herreshofif's,  385. 
Zouaves,  New  York,  117. 


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